Japan will deploy American cruise missiles on its destroyers
The Japanese government plans to complete the modernization of destroyers by 2027.
Japan has announced its intention to modernize all of its destroyers equipped with Aegis computer tracking and guidance systems.
According to The Japan Times, the modernization will be carried out to obtain the technical ability to place American Tomahawk cruise missiles on the destroyers.
The Japanese government plans to complete the modernization of destroyers by 2027.
It is noted that this step will be taken as part of the development of the counterattack potential of the country’s Self-Defense Forces in the light of the updated national security strategy.
Japan and her destroyers
Japan has eight Aegis-equipped destroyers, with plans to increase the number to ten in the coming years. Japan plans to purchase new Tomahawk Block-5 missiles with a range of about 1600 km.
The Japanese government has already announced a plan to purchase 400 Tomahawks, with $1.6 billion budgeted for fiscal year 2023 starting in April.
Tomahawk
American multi-purpose high-precision cruise subsonic missile company Raytheon. The Tomahawk is a long-range strategic and tactical missile that travels at extremely low altitudes while avoiding terrain.
The war in Ukraine and the position of Japan
In 2022, Japan provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial assistance totaling about $1.6 billion.
On March 21, 2023, the Prime Minister of Japan arrived in Ukraine.
In March 2023, Japan promised Ukraine tens of millions of dollars for non-lethal weapons.
The Japanese authorities also decided to provide our state with 470 million dollars of new unilateral grant assistance, in particular, for the energy sector.