A computer-generated image of Japan's future Aegis System Equipped Vessel. (Japan MOD)
Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has formally awarded the contract to build the country's second Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) to Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC).
A notice published by the MoD noted the date of the contract as 18 September in the year of Reiwa 6 in the Japanese calendar, which corresponds to 2024.
The contract to build the first ASEV was awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on 23 August, according to the MoD notice also published on 18 September.
Japan's requirements for ASEVs were first raised in 2020 after the country scrapped plans for a land-based ‘Aegis Ashore' ballistic missile defence (BMD) system.
Subsequently in 2022 the MoD disclosed that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) would operate two Aegis-equipped vessels that would be deployed specifically for at-sea BMD operations.
Both MHI and JMUC were awarded contracts to design the vessel, representatives from the MoD press office told Janes in June 2023 without revealing details on when these were awarded.
According to specifications that were provided to Janes then, each ASEV will be equipped with 128 vertical launching system (VLS) cells.
Each of these vessels will also be equipped to launch the SM-6 interceptor and the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-surface missile, which is being developed by MHI.
In its note on 18 September, the MoD noted that the ASEV's ability to withstand impact and incorporate future weapon systems were among the factors evaluated before the build contracts were awarded.
Japan is expected to receive the first ASEV from MHI in 2027 while the second vessel is scheduled to be delivered by JMUC in 2028.
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