Beware! Japanese Destroyer Completes "Tomahawk" Missile Modification

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Japan has recently showcased its acquisition of offensive weapons, sparking criticism from various quarters. According to a report by the French website "Naval News" on April 1, Japan's "Takanami" destroyer has completed modifications to carry U.S.-made "Tomahawk" cruise missiles and plans to conduct live-fire tests in August this year. Compared to the "Type 25 Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile" and "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Bomb" officially announced by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the "Tomahawk" cruise missile not only has a longer range but can also be deployed in conjunction with naval maneuvers, posing a greater threat to surrounding areas.

According to reports, the "Takanami" is one of four "Kongo" class Aegis destroyers in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which began modifications at the U.S. Pacific Fleet base in San Diego starting in October 2025 to enable it to launch "Tomahawk" cruise missiles. The "Tomahawk" missile is the longest-range weapon currently in service with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, capable of striking targets 1,600 kilometers away. In contrast, the newly commissioned "Type 25 Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile" has a range of about 1,000 kilometers, while the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Bomb" has a range of approximately 500-900 kilometers.

In 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense procured 400 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles from the United States, including 200 Block IV and 200 Block V missiles. The Block IV is equipped with a data link that allows for mid-flight adjustments to flight modes or target re-selection, while the Block V enhances capabilities through updated communication and guidance systems, enabling it to strike moving maritime targets.

Reports indicate that according to plans released by the Ministry of Defense, future Japan Self-Defense Force vessels equipped with "Tomahawk" cruise missiles will include not only the four "Kongo" class destroyers but also two "Atago" class, two "Maya" class, and two "Aegis System Equipped Vessels" (ASEV) currently under construction.

U.S. "Defense News" stated that due to the use of over 850 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles in the U.S. operation "Epic Fury" against Iran, U.S. defense contractors need to prioritize replenishing U.S. military stockpiles, which may affect missile orders from U.S. allies, including Japan. Analysts believe that as the most important U.S. ally in the Asia-Pacific, Japan's "Tomahawk" missile orders are unlikely to be immediately affected, but prolonged U.S. military operations in the Middle East could have some impact.

It is noteworthy that Japan has insisted on developing offensive weapons in recent years despite opposition from neighboring countries. In December 2022, the Japanese government passed a new version of the "National Security Strategy," "Defense Program Guidelines," and "Mid-Term Defense Force Build-Up Plan" (collectively known as the "Three Security Documents"), which for the first time explicitly stated Japan's intention to "develop and possess 'counterstrike capabilities'," representing a fundamental shift in Japan's post-war defense policy. For example, the "Type 25 Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile" deployed to the Kengun base in Kumamoto City on March 31 is a newly developed stealth cruise missile launched from ground-based vehicle-mounted launchers, with a range of about 1,000 kilometers. According to Kyodo News, launched from Kumamoto City, the missile's strike range can cover parts of China's coastal areas.

Compared to Japan's two domestically produced long-range weapons, the "Tomahawk" cruise missile has more mature technology and is considered a "kick-down-the-door" weapon used by the U.S. military in various localized conflicts, primarily designed to penetrate opponents' air defense and missile defense systems and command centers. More importantly, the Aegis destroyers used to carry "Tomahawk" cruise missiles can be deployed flexibly, unrestricted by base limitations, thus posing greater risks in actual use.      

Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin stated that Japan's clear deployment of long-range offensive weapons, with ranges far exceeding its territorial limits, fully demonstrates that Japan's "new militarism" is not just a dangerous trend but a blatant reality threat, severely undermining regional peace and security. (Xie Zhao)