Japan has launched DDG HAGURO Maya-class guided-missile destroyer.

On July 17th, 2019, the naming and launching ceremony for the DDG HAGURO was held at Yokohama Shipyard Isogo Works, Japan Marine United Corp. The JS Haguro (DDG-180) is a Maya-class guided-missile destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Haguro was named for Mount Haguro.

DDG Haguro Maya-class guided-missile destroyer at the launching ceremony, on August 17, 2019. (Picture source Japan MoD)

The Maya-class is equipped with the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system. This will allow the ship to share surveillance or targeting information between other CEC equipped assets, whether that be from ships from the American or Australian Navy or from American or Japanese E-2 Hawkeye.

The ship is armed with the SM-3 Block IIA anti-ballistic missile interceptor and SM-6 surface-to-air missile missiles. The SM-3 Block IIA is the latest variant of the SM-3 missiles and is joint developed between the U.S. and Japan. The SM-6 missiles can be networked to the CEC system and thus allow it to receive targeting information from other CEC equipped sources. While the primary role of the SM-6 is to intercept enemy aircraft and cruise missiles, the SM-6 is also capable of intercepting medium-range ballistic missile and can double as an anti-ship missile. This gives the Maya-class more flexibility in handling threats than its predecessors.

By equipping the SM-3 Block IIA developed jointly with the U.S., DDG HAGURO will possess even higher air defense capabilities and play a central role in air defense compared to conventional Aegis destroyers. For example, it will have ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities with extended coverage of defense and cooperative engagement capabilities (CEC) that enable reinforcement of collaboration with other vessels including Aegis destroyers.

As well as the missiles the ship is also armed with 1 × 5 inch (127mm/L62) Mk-45 Mod 4 naval gun in a stealth-shaped mount. (Made by Japan Steel Works licensed from its original manufacturer), 2x20m Phalanx CIWS, 2x Type 68 triple torpedo tubes and 96-cell Mk-41 VLS.