According to local media reports, Japan has begun construction of the second of its new Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) destroyers, a program designed to strengthen the air defense and ballistic missile defense capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in an increasingly demanding regional context.
According to information released so far, the progress in the construction of this second unit is in line with the schedule established by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, which anticipates the first ship entering service towards the end of 2027, while the second would do so in 2028, all under an estimated budget of USD 2.59 billion.
In this same vein, this new milestone continues the construction order formalized in September 2024, when Tokyo confirmed the launch of the two destroyers specifically designed for missile defense missions of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, replacing the canceled AEGIS Ashore land-based system.
The ASEV destroyers are designed as naval platforms dedicated to the detection, tracking, and interception of ballistic missiles, a capability considered critical for Japan given the development of missile delivery systems in the region, particularly by North Korea. To this end, the new units will be equipped with the AN/SPY-7 radar, developed by Lockheed Martin, which will form the core of the AEGIS system. This latter sensor will significantly improve early warning and fire control capabilities against complex threats.
Furthermore, in line with these advancements, Japan recently conducted tests of the SPY-7 radar in the United States, where its search, detection, tracking, and target identification functions were evaluated in a controlled environment as part of the systems integration process prior to its installation on the ships. The first radar antenna was received in early 2025, a crucial step for the future integration of combat systems.
In more detail, these are ships that will displace 12,000 tons, contained within a space defined by a length of 190 meters and a beam of 25 meters. It should also be noted that these vessels will feature a high degree of automation, requiring an estimated crew of approximately 240; a considerably smaller number than the 300 needed for a Maya-class vessel.
Regarding their armament, the new Japanese destroyers would be equipped with a 5-inch (127 mm) Mk-45 (Mod.4) main gun, as well as SM-3 Block IIA, SM-6, Tomahawk, and Type 12 (SSM) missiles. Furthermore, the force’s plans detail the potential incorporation of a high-power laser-based anti-drone defense system, which would be installed starting in 2032 according to the current schedule.
In this context, it should also be understood that the development of these units responds to the need for more flexible platforms that allow for the deployment of anti-missile defense capabilities at sea, overcoming the operational limitations of the original concept based on land-based installations. Above all, the impetus for the ASEV program comes in a scenario marked by increased tensions in Northeast Asia, where Japan has been reinforcing its defensive capabilities in response to China’s military modernization.
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