7th MSDF Aegis Destroyer to Take Water on July 30

July 11, 2018

Tokyo- The Defense Ministry's Maritime Staff Office said Tuesday a naming and launching ceremony for a destroyer with the Aegis ballistic missile intercept system will take place at Japan Marine United Corp.'s Isogo Works in Yokohama on July 30.

The 8,200-ton vessel, which will be the Maritime Self-Defense Force's seventh Aegis ship, will be put into commission in 2020. It is in the final stage of construction.

The new Aegis ship will be capable of launching SM-3 Block IIA missiles, being jointly developed by Japan and the United States.

It will also be equipped with the Cooperative Engagement Capability system, which allows information on missiles to be shared among CEC-equipped units, with a view to establishing a data communication link with U.S. Aegis ships to counter threats from China, including its antiship missiles, people familiar with the matter said.

The MSDF plans to have another Aegis destroyer take water next year. Jiji Press