Yokosuka Naval Base ,July 2020:
JS Takanami (DD110) (left) and JS Fuyuzuki (DD118) (right)
and JS Maya (DDG179) (the newest AAW destroyer in service, so far)
photos by Minoru Tanaka
JS Takanami (DD110) (left) and JS Fuyuzuki (DD118) (right)
and JS Maya (DDG179) (the newest AAW destroyer in service, so far)
photos by Minoru Tanaka
Mr T
Senior Member
Nice pictures. Maya and Haguro might be getting two (bigger) sisters in the near future now that Japan seems to be going with a naval replacement for Aegis Ashore.
What was the reason they cancelled Aegis Ashore? Excuse my ignorance.
Mr T
Senior Member
From what I understand cost and technical issues. It was going to be fairly expensive, and there were concerns that the interceptor boosters might not fall in exactly the right places - i.e. they could fall on populated areas and kill people. Then there was local opposition from residents who didn't want them nearby. In short, few positives and lots of negatives.
The research hasn't all been wasted because the new SM-3 missiles can also be used on USN and MSDF ships. Plus even if the new destroyers cost more than Aegis Ashore, they'll be more flexible.
I should add that Aegis Ashore has only been "suspended". It may be brought back in the future if the technical aspects can be addressed.
Lockmart lied about the price. The system is far in excess of what they told the Japanese, so Japan canceled it. I wouldnt expect it to make a return ever.
An image from a 2018 article about the plan to deploy JGSDF to the southern islands. Three of the islands (Amami, Miyako, and Ishigaki) will have both anti-air and anti-ship missiles.
The deployment of those assets to Miyako island was completed in March 2020.
An image from an article from April 2019 about upgraded Type 12 missiles planned for deployment by 2023. The image shows to difference between the range of the current Type 12 missiles and the range with the planned improved Type 12 missiles from Miyako island.
JGSDF page about structural change from static local regional divisions to what is called "mobile divisions". They are being structured as such to enable divisions to react to reinforce the southern islands quickly.
The deployment of those assets to Miyako island was completed in March 2020.
An image from an article from April 2019 about upgraded Type 12 missiles planned for deployment by 2023. The image shows to difference between the range of the current Type 12 missiles and the range with the planned improved Type 12 missiles from Miyako island.
JGSDF page about structural change from static local regional divisions to what is called "mobile divisions". They are being structured as such to enable divisions to react to reinforce the southern islands quickly.
