Second ASEV Missile Cruiser Laid Down in Japan

Japanese shipbuilder Japan Marine United (JMU) has begun construction of the second ASEV missile cruiser.

This was reported by journalist Takahashi Kosuke.

Construction of the vessel began on February 5, 2026, at the Yokohama shipyard. The ship is scheduled to be launched in 2027 and commissioned in 2028.

With construction underway at two separate shipyards, both vessels are expected to enter service within a short timeframe.

The first ship of the class is currently under construction by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki. Its delivery schedule broadly aligns with that of the second vessel, although it was laid down earlier, on July 18, 2025, with launch planned for 2026 and commissioning in 2027-2028.

These ships are set to become the largest missile platforms in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Their standard displacement will reach about 12,000 tons, and their primary mission will be ballistic missile defense.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Japan’s Defense Acquisition Agency would cooperate with the U.S. Department of the Navy on the development of new Aegis-equipped missile destroyers.

ASEV missile cruisers

The ASEV missile cruiser program was launched in December 2020 as an alternative to the Aegis Ashore initiative. Japan had initially planned to deploy land-based missile defense systems to counter ballistic threats from North Korea, China and Russia.

However, following opposition from local residents, the government revised the plan and opted to build two dedicated sea-based platforms.

The first ship of the class was officially laid down in 2025. A key feature of the project is the integration of the SPY-7 radar system with 128 cells of the Mark 41 vertical launch system.

The ships will be equipped with SM-3 Block IIA interceptors for engaging ballistic targets in space, as well as SM-6 surface-to-air missiles.
The standard displacement is about 12,000 tons (up to 19,000 tons at full load), with a length of 190 meters and a beam of 25 meters. The propulsion system is based on two MT30 gas turbines produced by Rolls-Royce.

Each turbine generates approximately 47,500 horsepower, allowing the vessel to reach speeds of over 30 knots. The large displacement and dimensions are expected to provide stability during extended deployments at sea.