The live-fire is a culmination of years of modifications, acquisitions, and preparations to give Japan Tomahawks.
Japanese Ministry of Defense
A Japanese destroyer has launched a Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time, marking a major milestone in Tokyo's push to build out its long-range strike capability.Tomahawk missiles give Japan a new ability to strike targets beyond the reach of some other weapons in its arsenal, equipping it with a proven combat capability that could prove valuable to its naval forces in a potential conflict.The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the successful test-fire of a Tomahawk Land-Attack Cruise Missile from the JS Chokai, a Kongo-class destroyer, earlier this week."This live-fire test demonstrates steady progress in the Tomahawk project, and the Ministry of Defense will continue to work towards the early establishment of stand-off defense capabilities," the ministry said in a press release. The test-fire occurred in the Pacific Ocean with support from the US Navy.Chokai is Japan's first destroyer equipped to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles. The ship sailed to the US last fall to receive modifications for the weapon and training for its crew.
Japan has purchased 400 Tomahawks, all of which are expected to deliver by next year.
