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2h ago

Japan Sends JMSDF Aegis Destroyer Chōkai to U.S. for Tomahawk Retrofit

The refit advances Japan's plan to field a long-range counterstrike option in close coordination with U.S. forces.

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Overview

  • The Ministry of Defense said the destroyer departed on September 26 for the U.S. Navy base in San Diego after crew training on missile loading procedures the previous day at JMSDF Yokosuka.
  • The dispatch is for modifications to enable installation of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles designated for Japan’s counterstrike capability.
  • Work in the United States is slated to finish by the end of March 2026, followed by software installation, repeated crew training, and live-fire testing.
  • The ministry aims to have the ship mission-capable by summer 2026, with the overseas deployment running through mid-September 2026.
  • Chōkai’s home port is the JMSDF Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, underscoring operational ties as integration proceeds in the United States.