Japan's JS Chokai fired a Tomahawk cruise missile in the Pacific. The test is part of a 400-missile purchase from RTX. Deliveries continue through next year.
Alpha Score of 54 reflects moderate overall profile with moderate momentum, weak value, moderate quality, moderate sentiment.
A Japanese destroyer fired a Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time this week. The JS Chokai launched the weapon in the Pacific Ocean with support from the US Navy.
The test is part of Japan's push to acquire long-range strike capability. The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the successful launch. "This live-fire test demonstrates steady progress in the Tomahawk project," the ministry said in a statement. "The Ministry of Defense will continue to work towards the early establishment of stand-off defense capabilities."
Chokai is a Kongo-class destroyer. It sailed to the United States last fall for modifications and crew training. The crew conducted mock loading drills with dummy Tomahawks before the live fire. Ahead of the test, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force posted on social media that Chokai was in San Diego, California, "making steady progress every day in training for Tomahawk operations."
Japan ordered 400 Tomahawks from RTX Corporation. The order includes 200 Block IV and 200 Block V missiles. Deliveries are expected to be completed next year. Japan's defense minister said in May that the delivery schedule remains on track despite reports of US stockpile strain from the Iran war.
Block IV Tomahawks have a range of about 1,000 miles. Block V variants extend beyond that and include upgrades. The missiles give Japan a proven capability to strike targets beyond the reach of some other weapons in its arsenal.
Future Aegis-equipped Japanese destroyers will also carry Tomahawks. The acquisition is part of Tokyo's national defense strategy to buy more standoff weapons for striking enemy forces at greater distances.
The JMSDF recently finished its participation in the Rim of the Pacific exercise. The Kongo-class destroyer took part, including live-fire exercises with Standard Missile-2 weapons. Thirty nations participated, bringing over 30 surface vessels, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 30,000 personnel.
The JS Chokai is now the first Japanese warship certified to fire Tomahawks. The ministry said it will continue work toward early establishment of stand-off defense capabilities. RTX, the missile's manufacturer, carries an Alpha Score of 59, reflecting a moderate outlook in the Industrials sector.
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