slide 2 of 3

Japan's Minister of Defence Visits JMSDF AEGIS Destroyer Deployed Against North Korean Missiles.

a

Naval Forces News - Japan

Japan's Minister of Defence Visits JMSDF AEGIS Destroyer Deployed Against North Korean Missiles

Japan's Minister of Defense, Itsunori Onodera, visited a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) AEGIS in the Sea of Japan on on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. The Kongo-class guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) is currently deployed to provide anti-ballistic protection against North Korea's missile threat. It is the first time that a Japanese minister of defense inspects a JMSDF vessel while underway at sea.

Japan's Minister of Defense, Itsunori Onodera, visited a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) AEGIS in the Sea of Japan on on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. Picture: Japan MoD

The minister went on board by helicopter and then visited several key areas of the vessel such as the combat information center (CIC) and bridge. An anti-ballistic interception was simulated in hiw presence. At the end of his visit, he told the crew: "You are the focal point of our national defense. The success or failure of missile defense rests on your shoulders." Since the latest developments in the crisis with North Korea, Japan self defense forces are permanently maintaining an AEGIS destroyer in the Sea of Japan and Patriot PAC-3 batteries on the likely trajectory ballistic missiles that North Korea may launch against Guam.

File picture: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG-176) launches a missile as part of Rim of the Pacific 2016 in the Pacific Ocean, July 22, 2016. (Photo by Ryo Tanaka)

Kongo class The Kongo class of guided missile destroyers serves as the core ship of the JMSDF's Escort Fleet. They are largely based on the United States Navy's Arleigh Burke class (Flight I). 4 Kongo class destroyers were commissioned between 1993 and 1998. They displace 9,500 tons full load. Weapons: • RGM-84 Harpoon SSM • 61 VLS forward 29 VLS aft for: SM-2MR SAM, SM-3 Block IA ABM, RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC • 1x 5 inch (127 mm) Oto-Melara main gun • 2x 20 mm Phalanx CIWS • 2x Type 68 triple torpedo tubes (6x Mk-46 or Type 73 torpedoes)