Ch\u014dkai, which entered JMSDF service in 1998, sailed to the United States in the second half of 2025<\/a> to receive modifications ready to become the service\u2019s first Tomahawk-equipped vessel. The test firing, which took place on Jul. 29, 2026, was conducted with U.S. Navy support in the Pacific Ocean. The ship is scheduled to return to Japan in September 2026 after further testing and training.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>JS Ch\u014dkai (DDG-176) firing a Tomahawk missile. (Image Credit: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)<\/p>\n The Japanese Ministry of Defense<\/a> said: \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n JS Chokai, now in San Diego, is making steady progress every day in training for Tomahawk operations. \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \u2014 \u9632\u885b\u7701 \u6d77\u4e0a\u81ea\u885b\u968a (@JMSDF_PAO) July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Closely inspired by the U.S. Navy\u2019s Arleigh Burke<\/a> class, the K\u014dngo class \u2013 along with the subsequent Atago and Maya classes \u2013 features the distinctive AN\/SPY-1 radar arrays on the superstructure, and utilises the Aegis Combat System.<\/p>\n Ch\u014dkai\u00a0features 90 Mark 41 VLS cells, the same number as on the Flight I and Flight II Arleigh Burke class vessels. The Atago and Maya classes expand this number to 96, which is matched by Flight IIA and III Arleigh Burkes. Unlike the two newer classes, the K\u014dngo class carries an OTO Melara 127 mm\/5 inch gun rather than the U.S. standard Mk 45.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following the conclusion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Johans Chavarro)<\/p>\n The Tomahawk has been in U.S. service for over forty years and is one of the most widely known missile types even outside of the defence industry. It can be deployed from ships, submarines, or from land-based launchers, and certain variants were designed to be equipped with nuclear payloads.<\/p>\n Over 1,000 Tomahawks have been fired during Operation Epic Fury<\/a> alone, and because of the missile\u2019s widespread deployment on almost all U.S. Navy surface and sub-surface combatants it has frequently been employed extensively during \u2018one-off\u2019 operations like the strikes against Syria<\/a> during the late 2010s.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5JMSDF conducts its first firing of a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile from JS Chokai.<\/p>\n Japan is purchasing around 200 Block IV and 200 Block V TLAM to equip at least 5 of its AEGIS destroyers.<\/p>\n Via @JMSDF_PAO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nRiMlO1oTE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Block IV and Block V missiles procured boast a publicly stated range capability in excess of 1,600 kilometres, carrying a 1,000 lb class warhead. Guidance is provided by GPS, along with terrain following capabilities that allow high-speed low level flight to increase survivability. The missile flies at subsonic speeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other Deployment Options<\/p>\n Japan\u2019s submarines, which use diesel-electric propulsion, are able to fire Harpoon anti-ship missiles but are unlikely to become additional candidates for fielding the Tomahawk as they lack the VLS cells which are now preferred on U.S. submarine designs. Some operators, like the Royal Navy, still fire Tomahawks from torpedo tubes, but without the bulky U.S. orders for the tube-launched variant it seems increasingly unlikely that any more will be produced. Instead, there have been indications that a submarine-launched variant<\/a> of the Japanese Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP)<\/a> could be developed.<\/p>\n Submarine launched cruise missiles enable attacks with a greater element of surprise, though some in Japan might argue that this would be in contravention of the country\u2019s policies against offensive military capabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Undoubtedly, Japan will be looking to eventually field the Tomahawk across its force of Mark 41 equipped destroyers.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/JapanFirstTomahawkTest_2-706x397.jpg\"\/)
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The JMSDF is working to build readiness for real-world missions to further strengthen deterrence and response capabilities. \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/rImzPwGcgY<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/JapanFirstTomahawkTest_3-706x470.jpg\"\/)
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