Japan deploys new Aegis destroyer, to get improved interceptor

The Maritime Self-Defense Force on Thursday put into commission its newest Aegis-equipped destroyer, the first of its vessels to be equipped with an improved antiballistic missile jointly developed by the United States and Japan.The Maya, capable of countering short- to intermediate-range threats with the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptor, was handed over to the Defense Ministry by Japan Marine United Corp. at a ceremony held at a shipyard in Yokohama, south of Tokyo."I expect (the ship) to lead our comprehensive missile air defense capabilities," Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono …READ FULL ARTICLE