JS Chokai Becomes First Japanese Destroyer To Undergo Tomahawk Upgrade In U.S.

Japan has sent its Kongo-class destroyer JS Chokai to the United States to undergo upgrades and crew training that will make it the country’s first warship capable of operating Tomahawk cruise missiles. Ahead of departure, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted Tomahawk missile-handling training at Yokosuka Base on September 26. The U.S. Navy began training Japanese forces on the Tomahawk launch system in March 2024. The 90 strike-length Mk 41 vertical launch system cells already installed on Chokai are compatible with Tomahawk missiles, making the conversion relatively straightforward. Other U.S. allies are also adopting Tomahawk missiles.