--- title: "First Japanese Destroyer Heads To U.S. For Tomahawk Missile Modifications" description: "The first Japanese warship destined to receive a [Tomahawk cruise missile]() capability is now sailing to the United States for the required modifications. The [*Kongo* class destroyer]() *Chokai* is at the forefront of Japan’s long-standing ambition to receive the long-range…" date: "2025-09-30" modified: "2025-09-30" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/first-japanese-destroyer-heads-to-u-s-for-tomahawk-missile-modifications" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Destroyers" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Japan" - "Japan Maritime Self Defense Force" - "Land Attack Cruise Missiles" - "Naval Munitions" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "R/UGM-109 Tomahawk" - "Sea" --- # First Japanese Destroyer Heads To U.S. For Tomahawk Missile Modifications ![apan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.]() *U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ace Rheaume/Released* The first Japanese warship destined to receive a [Tomahawk cruise missile]() capability is now sailing to the United States for the required modifications. The [*Kongo* class destroyer]() *Chokai* is at the forefront of Japan’s long-standing ambition to receive the long-range land attack cruise missiles, which it initially plans to field on its [Aegis warships](), [although ground]() and [submarine launch platforms]() could also follow in the future. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) [announced]() yesterday that the process of reworking *Chokai for* Tomahawk had begun. On September 26, the warship conducted missile-loading training, involving dummy Tomahawk rounds, supported by U.S. Navy personnel, at Yokosuka Base. The 90 “strike length” Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) cells on the *Kongo* class are already long enough to accommodate the Tomahawk. ![]() *A dummy Tomahawk round is test-loaded in *Chokai* by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy personnel at Yokosuka Base on September 26. *JMSDF** “The training was conducted to familiarize the ship with the procedures required for Tomahawk operation and to confirm the safety management system,” the Japanese Ministry of Defense said [in a statement](). https://twitter.com/ModJapan\_en/status/1972497058230931601 The following day, *Chokai* departed Yokosuka for San Diego, California, where modifications and crew training will be carried out. The process is due to be completed by mid-September of next year. Ahead of that milestone, the first Tomahawks are expected to be handed over to Japan before the end of March next year, and it is planned for the destroyer to conduct live-fire tests around summer 2026. These will verify the ship’s readiness and crew proficiency to carry out operational missions. ![]() **Chokai* departs Yokosuka Base on September 27. *JMSDF** The Japanese Ministry of Defense describes the Tomahawk plan as a crash program to supplement its efforts to locally develop new standoff missiles. Once fielded, the Tomahawks will enhance “standoff defense capabilities in order to intercept and eliminate invading forces against Japan at a rapid pace and at long range.” The U.S.-made cruise missiles are planned to be delivered between Japan’s fiscal years 2025 and 2027, which run from April 1 to March 31. The U.S. Navy [began training]() the JMSDF on the Tomahawk missile launch system in March 2024. Ultimately, the JMSDF will field the Tomahawk on all eight of its currently fielded Aegis destroyers. These comprise four [*Kongo* class](), two [*Atago*]() class, and two *Maya* class — the latter are [Japan’s latest in-service Aegis-capable destroyers](). ![]() **Maya*, lead ship of the latest JMSDF class of Aegis destroyers. *Japan MoD** The cruise missiles will also be used on the two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) destroyers that are under construction. Lockheed Martin [announced today]() that the first example of the advanced AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar system for the ASEV has begun testing at a shore-based facility in Moorestown, New Jersey. You can read more about its capabilities [here](). ![]() *The first AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar system for the ASEV class is tested at a shore-based facility in Moorestown, New Jersey. *Lockheed Martin** Returning to the Tomahawk, the U.S. State Department approved the $2.35-billion sale to Japan of 400 of these missiles in November 2023, and a corresponding deal was struck in 2024. This will provide Japan with 200 [Tomahawk Block IV]() and 200[ Tomahawk Block V]() All-Up Rounds (AUR) and related equipment. https://twitter.com/StateDeptPM/status/1725606622809006352?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1725606622809006352%7Ctwgr%5Ec0beee5a940ffc64b1969d6f41489412678a1b88%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fjapan-approved-to-buy-400-tomahawk-cruise-missiles The deal came [after years of talk that Japan]() would procure Tomahawks to give it a new long-range land-attack cruise missile capability. The Tomahawk acquisition is a prime example of Japan’s changing military policy, including the fielding of what would previously have been considered ‘offensive’ weaponry. This has been driven by growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, which have led to Japan increasing its counterstrike capability against potential threats, in particular those from China and North Korea. The urgency of the situation [has seen Japan accelerate]() its Tomahawk procurement, [bringing it forward by one year](), after it was originally planned to acquire the missiles in fiscal year 2026. Officials cited the “increasingly severe security environment around Japan” as the reason for this. Already, the JMSDF’s *Kongo* class destroyers, like *Chokai*, are notably well-equipped, although they are primarily air and missile defense platforms. They are outfitted with [powerful radar systems]() and [an assortment ]()of [surface-to-air missiles](), as well as anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons. The addition of Tomahawk missiles will make them much more well-rounded warships, with a very significant offensive capability. ![Japan Maritime Self Defense Fleet ship JS Chokai (DDG 176) (front), USS Mustin (DDG 89) (back left) and JS Ariake (DD 109) steam together following the conclusion of Keen Sword 2013. Keen Sword is a regularly scheduled exercise that enables the United States and Japan to practice coordination procedures and improve interoperability required to effectively defend Japan or respond to a crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. (US Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Denver Applehans/Released)]() **Chokai* (front), the *Arleigh Burke* class destroyer USS *Mustin* (back left), and the *Murasame* class destroyer *Ariake* steam together during an exercise in the Indo-Pacific region. *U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Denver Applehans/Released* Lt. Denver Applehans* The Block IV Tomahawk [can strike targets]() at a range of almost 1,000 miles, carrying a 1,000-pound unitary warhead. It can be re-routed mid-flight and is also able to loiter over an area to hit ‘pop-up’ targets, using its imaging infrared seeker. Japan is also receiving the Block V Tomahawk, [an improved version]() with survivability upgrades that can also be used to hit moving targets, especially in the long-range anti-shipping role. Japan is now joining a select group of Tomahawk-operating countries outside the United States. The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy uses Tomahawk missiles to arm its [*Astute* class]() nuclear-powered attack submarines. It also plans to provide a Tomahawk capability on its forthcoming [Type 26]() and [Type 31]() frigates. In December last year, Australia became the third country to launch a Tomahawk missile after the [Royal Australian Navy’s]() (RAN) [*Hobart*]() class destroyer [*HMAS Brisbane*]() successfully test-fired the weapon for the first time, as you can read about [here](). ![]() *A Tomahawk missile fired from Australia’s *HMAS Brisbane*, moments before impacting its target. *U.S. Navy** Since then, the Royal Netherlands Navy [launched a Tomahawk for the first time](), from one of its *De Zeven Provinciën* class frigates, HNLMS *De Ruyter*, off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, in March of this year. ![]() *The first launch of Tomahawk from the Dutch frigate HNLMS *De Ruyter* off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, in March 2025. *Dutch Ministry of Defense** While Japan is procuring the Tomahawk as an interim weapon, it will almost certainly continue in service once the country fields its own long-range land-attack cruise missile capability. This is an area in which Japan has been active for some time now, starting with efforts to increase the range of its [Type 12 anti-ship missile]() now in development. At the same time, Japan is also [acquiring air-launched cruise missiles ]()for land-attack missions. Overall, Japan’s forthcoming introduction of the Tomahawk and its longer-term ambition to field more domestically produced standoff missiles reflect the country’s changing defense posture — including procuring ‘offensive’ weapons that would previously have been off the table. With China flexing its military muscle in the region and North Korea expanding its missile arsenal, Japan’s focus on bolstering its long-range conventional deterrent options will surely continue. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()