US Aegis ships test SM-2 missiles in drill with MSDF

March 15, 2018

Tokyo- -US Aegis ships conducted last week an exercise involving the launches of Standard Missile-2 surface-to-air missiles in the Philippine Sea during a joint drill with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, officials of the US Navy have said.

The SM-2 missiles were launched on Saturday by the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser and the USS Mustin guided missile destroyer, both belonging to the Navy's 7th Fleet based in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, according to the officials.

The joint drill, dubbed MultiSail 2018, is "a unique opportunity to improve our proficiency and also test new tactics," Capt. George Kessler Jr., the commanding officer of the USS Antietam, said.

In addition, the SM-2 test was apparently intended to keep a check on the Chinese navy and air force, which are expanding their activities into the western Pacific beyond the so-called first island chain, including the island prefecture of Okinawa in southern Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The MultiSail 2018 drill was joined by a total of four U.S. Aegis ships and the MSDF's Fuyuzuki destroyer. Jiji Press