Japan to modify destroyer JS Chōkai (DDG-176) to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles by March 2026.
Japan has announced plans to boost its naval power by fitting Tomahawk cruise missiles onto its Aegis destroyers. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed that the first upgrade will be done on JS Chōkai (DDG-176) before March 2026.
The step is part of a wider deal with Washington that will see Tokyo acquire 400 Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles. With a range of up to 1,000 miles, these missiles can strike deep inside enemy territory.
By 2027, Japan wants all eight Aegis destroyers to be able to launch the Tomahawks. This would give Japan the ability to carry out “counterstrike operations,” something it had avoided for decades under its pacifist constitution.
Tokyo argues that the new capacity is a defensive measure to deter threats from China’s growing naval power and North Korea’s missile program. Officials say the weapons are necessary to neutralise enemy sites in case of attack.
Security analysts believe the upgrades could alter the balance of power in East Asia and strengthen Japan’s cooperation with U.S. forces.
But critics fear this move may escalate military competition in the region. Both China and North Korea have previously condemned Japan’s growing strike capabilities, warning it could destabilise the region.
The destroyers will need new fire-control systems, fresh crew training, and joint testing with the U.S. Navy to fully integrate the Tomahawks. Despite these challenges, Japanese officials insist the program is on schedule, citing urgency in the face of rising security risks.
