The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned the first of two Maya-class destroyers in Yokohama on 19 March. JS Maya (DDG-179) is a guided missile destroyer capable of ballistic missile defence (BMD).
This brings to seven the number of BMD destroyers in the JMSDF, with one more to come. Sister ship Haguro (pennant number 180) was launched on 17 July 2019, and it will enter service next March.
The approximately JPY170 billion ($1.52 billion) JS Maya has been allocated to Escort Flotilla 1 that is based at Yokosuka Naval Base.
To help fulfil its function of countering ballistic missiles
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