The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has taken delivery of Maya (DDG 179), the first of two 27DDG destroyers, in a ceremony on March 19.
Maya was delivered by shipbuilder Japan Marine United Corporation after it was launched in July 2018.
The second ship, JS Haguro, was launched in July 2019 and is expected to be delivered in 2021.
Maya-class destroyers are an upgraded version of the Atago-class, equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9/Ballistic Missile Defense 5.1 system and Raytheon’s Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), a system that shares/compiles sensor data from multiple platforms into one picture.
The 170-meter ships displace 8,200 tons and are powered by two combined gas turbine-electric and gas turbine (COGLAG) engines. The new class of destroyers will launch SM-3 Block IIA missiles that are capable of defending against short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
Japan also intends to develop a railgun and laser systems for the two destroyers.
