Thursday, December 12, 2024
spot_img

Japan favours Aegis Ashore over THAAD to boost defence

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img
TOKYO: Japan is leaning towards choosing the Aegis Ashore missile-defence system over another advanced system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), government and ruling party sources said.
Faced with North Korea’s rapid missile and nuclear development, and its threats, Japan has been looking into introducing a new missile-defence layer – either the THAAD or the Aegis Ashore, a land-based version of the Aegis system developed for war ships. Lockheed Martin Corp makes both systems.
The government now favours the Aegis Ashore system as it comes with a wider coverage area, which would mean fewer units needed to protect Japan, and it is also cheaper, three government and two ruling party sources said.
The sources, who spoke this week, declined to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to media on the topic.
An Aegis Ashore unit costs about 70 billion-80 billion yen (618 million-706 million dollars), while a THAAD unit costs more than 100 billion yen, the sources said.
Also, the introduction of Aegis Ashore would help reduce the burden of round-the-clock vigilance shouldered by Japanese warships equipped with the Aegis system, they said.
The government will make a final decision on the new system in coming months, after sending, possibly this month, an inspection team to Hawaii, where US forces operate Aegis Ashore test facilities, they said.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in March urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government to consider acquiring the capability to hit enemy bases and to beef up missile defence. (Reuters)
spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Mamata Banerjee slams Union Cabinet over One Nation, One Election Bill

Kolkata, Dec 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the Union Cabinet for clearing the...

PM Modi to launch Rs 7,000 crore projects in Prayagraj; inspect development work for Mahakumbh Mela

New Delhi, Dec 12" Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Prayagraj on Friday to inspect...

Historic and exemplary, says PM Modi on Gukesh becoming youngest world chess champion

New Delhi, Dec 12: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed Gukesh D. becoming the youngest world chess...

India’s maritime history was neglected for decades: Sarbananda Sonowal

New Delhi, Dec 12: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that India's maritime history was neglected for...