Japan is seeking to acquire two more Aegis-equipped warships that will serve as an alternative to the U.S.-built, land-based Aegis Ashore missile shield, whose deployment was scrapped this summer, Nikkei reports.
The Defense Ministry is expected to approve the vessels based on an interim report due later this month from a private-sector technical study. The move comes as Japan wrestles with the cost of defending itself, including how much to pay for hosting U.S. forces.
According to Nikkei, the ships will be equipped with Lockheed Martin’s SPY-7 radar, originally to be installed in the Aegis Ashore system. This will require spending to modify the radar for the transfer, on top of the cost to build the vessels themselves. Partial funding will be allocated in Japan’s fiscal 2021 budget.
The agency also says that Japanese officials also considered the option of special-purpose ships dedicated to intercepting missiles. Such vessels would cost less, but the idea was abandoned since they are vulnerable to submarine or air attacks.
Faced with priorities other than missile defense, such as patrolling East China Sea islands, officials see the new Aegis-equipped destroyers as a practical addition to the fleet based on their maneuverability and defenses.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s chronic understaffing remains a hurdle to operating the new Aegis ships. Japan initially chose the Aegis Ashore system to cope with a lack of personnel. Tokyo will seek to expand the Maritime SDF’s ranks as part of a broader reassignment of Self-Defense Forces personnel.
Major General Piek Budyakto, Director General of Defence Potential at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, led a technical meeting on…
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract with the Republic of Iraq for the delivery of 12 H225M multi-role helicopters. The…
Exail has been selected by Naval Group to supply navigation systems for the French Navy's Ocean Patrol Vessels (OPVs) as…
BAE Systems Australia has selected spend management software from Ivalua to streamline and modernise its supply chain processes. The company…
Raytheon recently successfully demonstrated the SeaVue Multi-role Radar's superior long-range target detection at the U.S. Navy's Exercise Rim of the…
The U.S. Army has awarded the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) a follow-on fiscal year 2024 production contract for Javelin© missiles…
Hurjet, Türkiye’s first indigenous jet-powered supersonic trainer aircraft, performed a demonstration flight earlier this week at the Egypt International Airshow.…
Embraer on Thursday delivered the first C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft to the Hungarian Air Force. The aircraft is the first…
At the Egypt International Air Show, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced that Lockheed Martin will supply two C-130J-30 Super Hercules…
Airbus Defence and Space has completed the acquisition of Infodas, a German company specialising in cybersecurity and IT solutions for…
Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 has been awarded the first-ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)…
Indra has secured a significant contract with Poland’s Ministry of Defence to supply up to 15 transportable radar systems for…
Korean Air is set to expand its network in China and Japan to cater to the increasing travel demand in…
During the Egypt International Airshow, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) received a supplier certificate from French aircraft engine manufacturer…
Kinéis, a satellite operator focused on the Internet of Things (IoT), is set to launch its first satellite constellation dedicated…
EDGE Group has formalised a partnership with the Brazilian Navy to complete the development of the National Anti-Ship Missile (MANSUP)…
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, has been recognised as 'CEO of the Year 2024' in the Defence and Cruise sector…
Swedish defence company Saab is now targeting the Philippines for potential sales of its JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft, following…
The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Army (RTA), conducted testing and evaluation of…
Advanced air mobility company Joby Aviation has formally applied for its aircraft to be certified for use in Australia. Joby’s…
CAE Defense & Security USA has been awarded a contract by the United States Navy under a U.S. Foreign Military…
Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke is stepping down from his role in February next year. The company has appointed Dr. Dieter…
The Bali International Airshow 2024 has revealed its line-up of speakers for the Bali Airshow Special Dialogue, a programme designed…
Boeing has appointed Wael Zaoud to the newly created role of managing director for Boeing Global in Qatar. This appointment…
Serbia has formally entered into a contract to acquire 12 Dassault Rafale fighters The contract was inked in August in…
South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha defence corporations are set to present their state-of-the-art defence solutions at the forthcoming 32nd International…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has signed a contract to sell five N219 aircraft to the Setdco Group, representing the Democratic…
Japan's largest airline has welcomed its first Boeing 777 equipped with AeroSHARK. This revolutionary surface technology is inspired by shark…
Aselsan has officially opened a new regional office in Skopje, in the capital city of North Macedonia, as part of…
Archer Aviation recently delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the USAF to evaluate as part of its AFWERX Agility Prime…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.