Everything about the future (super) destroyers of the Japanese Navy
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has requested funding for the next fiscal year for two future destroyers now known as ASEVs (AEGIS System Equipped Vessels), two large platforms that will be dedicated primarily to defense against ballistic missiles. Giovanni Martinelli's in-depth analysis
The news had already been anticipated by various documents drawn up by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, as well as by the many rumors circulating in recent months; therefore, no particular news. However, the presentation of the budget request for the fiscal year 2024 ended up being an important step anyway.
In fact, what the Japanese Ministry of Defense itself is asking for for the next fiscal year is funding for the 2 future destroyers currently known as ASEV (AEGIS System Equipped Vessel); 2 large platforms which will be dedicated primarily to defense against ballistic missiles but which, given their size and capabilities, will obviously also be able to carry out other missions.
But before going into the merits of these future ships (so particular), some historical notes; very interesting in this specific case. In this regard, it would be enough to say that these ASEVs, if everything had gone according to the initial plans, should never have even existed.
In the early 2000s, Japan found itself facing the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles; in particular, those of North Korea and China. The Tokyo Government thus established that the best solution for the country's defense against these missiles would be represented by the construction of 2 land-based plants defined as "AEGIS Ashore".
In fact, structures similar to the one already present in the Hawaiian Islands (for experimental purposes), to protect Europe (in Romania and Poland) and which in the future will also be built on the island of Guam; so called because they hinge on the combat system already used on many naval units of the American Navy and some foreign navies which is instead based on land, combining radar for the detection of ballistic missiles with batteries of anti-missile missiles.
The difference between these Japanese structures, however, was given by two elements. The first represented by the choice of a new and more powerful radar (the AN/SPY-7) compared to those used up to now and the second by the adoption of the SM-3 Block IIA; updated version of the Standard Missile SM-3, the device wanted by the US Navy as an ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile). The peculiarity of the Block IIA version is that it was developed in collaboration with Japan and that, thanks to its improved performance, it is capable of engaging not only medium and short range ballistic missiles but also intercontinental ones.
In fact, therefore, the two Japanese structures would have been the most "powerful" of their kind in the world; also because they would have been integrated with the fleet of Japanese Navy ships already used for the purpose. That is, the four destroyers of the Kongo class, the two of the Atago class and the same number of the Maya class which would later enter service.
All this in theory, because after a long study and preparation work, it was only in 2017 that the final decision arrived, with the associated choice of places where these new installations would be located. This last element immediately fueled controversy on the part of the communities involved, with associated popular protests that highlighted potential risks associated with this choice.
And so, after years of controversy, in June 2020 the twist occurred; Japan renounces the construction of the “AEGIS Ashore” structures. But since the missile defense needs remain intact, it is decided that the equipment chosen for them (in particular, the 2 AN/SPY-7 radars) will still be purchased to be installed instead in as many new naval platforms. The point is that after months of controversy, in fact the entire program started from scratch; and this while the threat grew day by day. Otherwise said, there was no time to waste.
It is no coincidence that the possible alternatives regarding the characteristics of these future ships began to be studied immediately; the hypothesis of modifying already existing units was immediately discarded, another that quickly gains attention is that (very innovative) of the catamaran hull. In fact, such a configuration should have guaranteed greater stability to these ships; thus ensuring better operational capabilities for the ABM mission.
This hypothesis was later discarded but it is nevertheless interesting to remember how the latest rumors circulating before the information now available referred to a platform 210 meters long and 40 meters wide; all for a displacement of over 20,000 tons. So truly impressive values!
What we know today gives us a truly different picture. Future ASEVs will in fact be "traditional" ships (i.e. monohull) but always of considerable size; approximately 190 meters long by 25 meters wide and a full load displacement of at least 14,000 tonnes. Despite these important values, the data relating to the number of crew members is significant and should be "just" 240; which is an important fact for the Japanese Navy which is struggling with recruitment.
However, many other details of these platforms are not yet known; for example, the configuration and characteristics of the propulsion system, the full sensor suite (beyond the main AN/SPY-7 radar), and several other important systems. However, what is already emerging today in terms of armament is decidedly interesting; in fact, in addition to the main 127/62 mm artillery piece, the distinctive aspect will be represented by the 128 vertical launch cells (VLS, Vertical Launching System). A number that will place these future ASEVs on the same level as the South Korean Sejong the Great class destroyers in terms of VLS; that is, the most “heavily armed” units of all the Western Navies.
These launch cells will thus host the already mentioned SM-3 Block IIA missiles (and their future evolutions) for countering ballistic missiles; but also the new Standard Missile SM-6 which can have a dual function, anti-air but also to counter the new threat represented by hypersonic missiles. The recently acquired Tomahawk missiles will also be placed in these same cells, giving the ASEVs also capabilities in terms of attack on land and against enemy naval units; capabilities further strengthened by the presence of container-launchers for Type 12 missiles of Japanese production, also destined to evolve in the coming years.
These new destroyers will also have point defense systems as well as laser weapons to counter enemy anti-ship missiles and drones. In addition obviously to a helicopter component and/or unmanned aerial systems, especially to deal with underwater threats. It being understood that similar platforms, due to their intrinsic characteristics, guarantee ample margins for growth; for example, with the launch of hypersonic missiles (a sector in which Japan is already working intensively).
As final notes then, a couple of very important aspects. The first is that, despite their complexity and size, a rapid entry into service is expected for ASEVs, more precisely between 2027 and 2028. The second is that of costs; everything described inevitably has an economic implication. In the sense that the 2 units in question will have (rather) high costs: each destroyer will in fact cost a good 2.7 billion dollars, at least.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/smartcity/tutto-sui-futuri-supercacciatorpediniere-della-marina-giapponese/ on Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:38:00 +0000.