Japanese government is making arrangements to introduce a new missile intercept system on two new Aegis-equipped destroyers

Japanese government is making arrangements to introduce a new missile intercept system on two new Aegis-equipped destroyers that will be deployed in fiscal 2019 and 2020.
According to several government sources, the new intercept system will improve the ability of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Aegis vessels to protect the nation if North Korea launches a wave of ballistic missiles.
Under the new system, an Aegis vessel stationed in the Sea of Japan that had exhausted its supply of intercept missiles would share radar information with another Aegis vessel stationed elsewhere. This second vessel would use the information for targeting and shooting down the North Korean missiles.
Aegis vessels equipped with SM-3 interceptors form the main pillar of Japan’s missile defense system. Although these destroyers already share radar information, launching an SM-3 requires the vessel actually firing the missile to use its own radar to lock on to the target.
The United States developed the new system, which is called “engage on remote.” This sophisticated information system enables an Aegis destroyer to target a missile and fire an interceptor based on radar information provided by another Aegis vessel closer to the missile launch site. The U.S. Navy plans to steadily introduce the engage-on-remote system to its Aegis vessels.
The Japan Defense Ministry is considering a plan to eventually have the MSDF and U.S. Navy Aegis vessels share targeting information through this new system. However, the U.S. side could be reluctant to accept such a proposal because a U.S. vessel intercepting a missile based on targeting information shared by an MSDF vessel would also be entrusting command to Japan. Consequently, the government intends to carefully gauge the U.S. side’s intentions on this issue.
The MSDF currently has four Aegis destroyers for the nation’s missile defense. One or two are engaged in warning and surveillance activities in the Sea of Japan. Each can hold a maximum of eight SM-3 interceptors.
Under the new system, even if Aegis vessels in the Sea of Japan were to use up all their missiles, it is expected that Aegis vessels stationed in the Pacific Ocean or other distant waters could shoot down a target. This would boost the number of interceptors available to counter a volley of missiles launched by North Korea.