According to information published by Minkei on September 1, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has decided to enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Aegis destroyer Chokai by equipping it with the ability to launch U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The upgrade of the destroyer Chokai, which will be the first Japanese Aegis destroyer equipped with Tomahawk missiles, reflects Japan’s shift towards a more proactive defense posture.
The Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers, will provide Japan with a long-range strike capability. This aligns with Japan’s new National Security Strategy, which emphasizes the importance of counterstrike capabilities as a deterrent against potential aggressors.
The integration of both Block IV and Block V Tomahawk variants allows for enhanced navigational and targeting features, providing the destroyers with greater flexibility and precision in potential conflict scenarios.
Japan has committed approximately $1.72 billion for the purchase of up to 400 Tomahawk missiles. The first deployment is set to begin in fiscal year 2025, earlier than initially planned, with the JS Chokai undergoing refurbishment to integrate these capabilities by March 2026. The Japanese government plans to extend this capability to all eight of its Aegis-equipped destroyers by 2027.
The decision to enhance the destroyer Chokai and other Aegis destroyers with Tomahawk missiles is a component of Japan’s broader defense modernization efforts.