Japan expands fleet of Aegis missile defense destroyers to 8

Self-Defense Force ships Maya and Haguro complete interception drills

20221121N aegis missile

The JS Maya, a Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyer, fires a newly developed interceptor missile during a test in November. (Photo courtesy of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

RYO NEMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan added two more vessels to its fleet of Aegis-equipped destroyers, raising to eight the number of ships capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. 

Two Maya-class Aegis destroyers, the Maya and the Haguro, successfully intercepted mock ballistic missiles during tests off the coast of Hawaii earlier this month, the Defense Ministry said Monday.

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