[Senior Researcher Seongrin Choi, Maritime Underwater Research Team 3, Defense Technology Quality Institute] On the 19th of last month, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned the first vessel of the upgraded Atago-class Maya-class Aegis destroyers in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The destroyer named JS Maya (hull number 179), measuring 170 meters in length, was assigned to the 1st Escort Squadron under the 1st Escort Flotilla stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base, a JMSDF spokesperson told Jane's.
Equipped with the Aegis combat system, the Maya is the seventh operational vessel of JMSDF. It was laid down in April 2017 and launched in July 2018. The second ship of the class, JS Haguro (hull number 180), was launched in July 2019 and is expected to enter service in March 2021. The construction cost of the Maya is approximately 172 billion yen (1.61 billion USD), and it is 5 meters longer than the Atago-class destroyers currently operated by JMSDF.
This destroyer is equipped with the baseline Aegis J7 system. The J7 system is supported by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon's AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar and Northrop Grumman's AN/SPQ-9B X-band (NATO I-band) (8-12.5 GHz) high-resolution fire control radar.
The vessel is equipped with the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system developed by the United States, enabling it to share surveillance and targeting information with other CEC-equipped ships and Northrop Grumman's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. This allows it to function as part of a broader sensor grid and weapons platform, enhancing its ability to respond to threats posed by North Korean ballistic missiles.
The two Maya-class ships are planned to be equipped with SM-3 (Standard Missile 3) Block IIA missiles designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, and SM-6 (Standard Missile 6) missiles are also expected to be added in the near future. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, has already deployed destroyers equipped with the CEC system, Aegis system, and capable of launching SM-6 interceptors.
According to JMSDF, the standard displacement of the Maya-class destroyers is 8,200 tons, which is 450 tons more than the Atago-class. The ship is powered by two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines in a combined gas turbine-electric and gas turbine (COGLAG) configuration, each capable of achieving a top speed of 30 knots, JMU stated.
The Maya-class destroyers are Japan's first Aegis destroyers to use a propulsion system that improves fuel efficiency and reduces life-cycle costs. The ship can accommodate one Mitsubishi (Sikorsky) SH-60K helicopter either on the flight deck or in the hangar deck. With a crew complement of about 300, the destroyer is also equipped with a multifunction towed array (MFTA) sonar system and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
Japan plans to deploy eight Aegis destroyers equipped with ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities by March 2021, when JS Haguro is expected to enter service. As a Northeast Asian country, Japan aims to deploy two destroyers alongside each JMSDF escort fleet stationed at Yokosuka, Sasebo, Maizuru, and Kure.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has been strongly promoting efforts to upgrade and strengthen national BMD capabilities, citing nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea. Currently, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities are being developed by operating Aegis ships, early warning aircraft, radars, and other equipment in an integrated manner. As North Korea continues short-range ballistic missile tests, JMSDF can more easily intercept missiles targeting U.S. ships using the CEC system of Aegis destroyers as part of cooperative defense operations conducted with the United States in the event of conflict.
A JMSDF spokesperson stated that according to the mid-term defense plan approved in December 2018, there are no plans for additional construction of ships of this class, and instead, a total of ten 3,900-ton multi-purpose escort ships will be built.
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