Basing Japan’s missile defense systems at sea can charge at least twice as much in total as its now deserted plans for Aegis Ashore floor sites and postpone it until 2028, a user familiar with the plans said.
Equipped with lockheed Martin Corp’s rugged radars, Japan’s Aegis Ashore systems are designed to intercept missile movements from North Korea and elsewhere.
Japan’s defense minister at the time, Taro Kono, suspended plans for two ground sites in June, which would have charged about $2 billion to build, raising the option that booster rockets can fall on local residents.
Photo: Kyodo Reuters
Instead, he installed the systems on offshore platforms or ships.
Ministry of Defence officials are several proposals, adding the installation of Aegis on platforms similar to oil rigs, or on merchant ships or switched warships.
Kono’s successor, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said he would take a resolution on the long-term Aegis Ashore batteries until the end of the year.
Delays and higher prices may simply revive for a ground plan, as Japan’s public finances are strained by debt exacerbated by COVID-19’s large stimulus spending.
A Ministry of Defense official said he was not aware of the new cargo and time estimates for missile defenses at sea, but that Aegis Ashore floor batteries should be operational until 2025.
Some of these proposals may charge more than $4 billion each, without adding interceptor missiles and operating expenses, which would exceed those of floor stations due to more fuel, maintenance and crews, said the user familiar with the matter, who saw the estimates. being discussed through Department of Defense officials.
He refused to be identified.
A destroyer has about three hundred sailors, about ten times more people than is needed for a land site, the Ministry of Defense said.
Armed with interceptor missiles designed to attack warheads in space, Aegis Ashore’s Lockheed Martin SPY-7 radar has at least 3 times more than the ancient Aegis radars of Japanese warships.
“We’re here for everything Japan wants, and in our minds, there’s no choice but to be on the table,” said Tom Rowden, Vice President of Operations for Lockheed’s Rotary system and Mission, adding Aegis Ashore in Japan. “Our main purpose here is to give Japan the capacity it wants to protect its country. “
Last year, Japan ranked China as its security risk for the first time, pointing to increased spending on defense and army maneuvering through Beijing.