Japan To Upgrade Third Ship For Missile Destroyer Role
Interceptor Shield Report
Nathan J Hunt
January 15th 2008
On January 14th 2008 Lockheed Martin announced they had received a $40.4 million contract for the conversion of the Japanese destroyer JS Myoko to the BMD “Ballistic Missile Defense” role.
With this contract the government of Japan is moving ahead with the outfitting of its third destroyer from its Naval fleet with BMD ability. Japan is planning to have four ships equipped with ballistic missile defense ability for the protection of Japan from ballistic missile threats. On December 17th, 2007 Japan conducted its first successful shoot down of a threat test missile using its recently converted Naval Destroyer the JS Kongo.
As of this moment the three other Japanese naval ships that are being converted to ballistic missile defense roles are the JS Chokai, JS Myokois and the JS Myoko. These Conversions are being done by Lockheed Martin Corporation.
