On August 7, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the U.S. State Department has approved a possible $1.5 billion sale of two Lockheed Martin Corp Aegis combat systems as well as new anti-submarine warfare equipment to Japan.
The weapons deal, likely to be approved by Congress, aims to enhance Japan’s capabilities to defend against a ballistic missile attack. Japan is currently upgrading and modifying all of its Aegis destroyers (the Kongō-class and Atago-class) with the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) system.In November 2013, the Japanese government announced that it would procure two additional Atago-class vessels, equipped with the Aegis-BMD system, to be commissioned in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“The addition of two (2) new AEGIS DDGs will fulfill Japan’s mission goal of acquiring eight (8) ballistic missile defense capable ships and will further enhance interoperability with the U.S. Navy, build upon a longstanding cooperative effort with the United States, and provide enhanced capability with a valued partner in a geographic region of critical importance to Japan and the U.S. Government,” DSCA said.
DSCA also noted that the two new Aegis destroyers “will afford more flexibility and capability to counter regional threats and continue to enhance stability in the region,” especially as “Japan currently operates AEGIS ships and is proficient at using evolving ballistic missile defense capability.”.
The weapons deal, likely to be approved by Congress, aims to enhance Japan’s capabilities to defend against a ballistic missile attack. Japan is currently upgrading and modifying all of its Aegis destroyers (the Kongō-class and Atago-class) with the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) system.In November 2013, the Japanese government announced that it would procure two additional Atago-class vessels, equipped with the Aegis-BMD system, to be commissioned in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“The addition of two (2) new AEGIS DDGs will fulfill Japan’s mission goal of acquiring eight (8) ballistic missile defense capable ships and will further enhance interoperability with the U.S. Navy, build upon a longstanding cooperative effort with the United States, and provide enhanced capability with a valued partner in a geographic region of critical importance to Japan and the U.S. Government,” DSCA said.
DSCA also noted that the two new Aegis destroyers “will afford more flexibility and capability to counter regional threats and continue to enhance stability in the region,” especially as “Japan currently operates AEGIS ships and is proficient at using evolving ballistic missile defense capability.”.
Japanese guided missile destroyer JDS Kongō (DDG-173) firing a Standard Missile 3 anti-ballistic missile.
Source: The Diplomat
Source: The Diplomat