Japan to Upgrade Another AEGIS Destroyer, Buy SM-3 ABMs

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DDG-176 Chokai(click to view full) On June 8/07, the US DSCA announced Japan’s request for Ballistic Missile Defense upgrades to one AEGIS Weapon System (Lockheed-Martin Maritime System and Sensors in Moorestown, NJ), AEGIS BMD Vertical Launch System ORDALTs (BAE’s Mk41 modifications, Minneapolis, MN), 9 SM-3 Block IA STANDARD missiles (Raytheon in Tucson, AZ) with MK 21 Mod 2 canisters, containers, spare and repair parts, publications, documentation, supply support, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics support. The systems will be installed on Japan’s Kongo Class AEGIS destroyers, and the total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $475 million. A subsequent Lockheed release strongly suggests that this is for the JDS Chokai [DDG-176], which is the last of the current Kongo Class destroyers; the 5th and 6th Improved Kongo Class ships currently under construction will reportedly have AEGIS BMD capability pre-installed. The JMSDF is working closely with the USA on missile defense activities, which includes modification and improvements to the SM-3 long-range anti-air/ABM missile as the outer layer of Japan’s ABM system, deployed from its Kongo Class AEGIS destroyers. Air Force cooperation has also improved by leaps and bounds, allowing for […]

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