In late December, Japan’s government approved acquisition of two Aegis ashore missile defense systems. Aegis ashore is the land-based missile defense component derived from the same technology that sails on board new-construction Arleigh Burke–class destroyers. It includes SPY-1 radar, Mk-41 vertical-launch systems housing SM-3 missiles, and linkages to C4I systems. The two land-based assets are not expected to be in service until 2023, at which time they will begin working in concert with Japan’s already formidable air defense umbrella of Patriot surface-to-air missiles and a growing number of JMSDF Aegis destroyers outfitted for missile defense. The new locations for Japan’s Aegis ashore elements have not yet been finalized, but they almost certainly will be positioned to optimize defense against the ever-present threat from North Korean missile attack. Aegis ashore is also in use by the NATO alliance, which has operated a system in Romania since 2016 (pictured here), and a second system is expected to come online in Poland later this year.
The United Kingdom’s newly built aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was commissioned on 7 December 2017 at Portsmouth Naval Base by her namesake Queen Elizabeth II. Displacing 65,000 tons, the aircraft carrier is the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy and measures 920 feet long with a 240-foot beam and a 39-foot draft. The full-sized carrier, which will serve as fleet flagship, is able to carry a mix of 40 aircraft and helicopters. She is fitted with a forward “ski jump” rather than traditional catapults to facilitate rolling launch of stealthy F-35B Lightning II STOVL strike-fighters. Flight trials of the F-35B will begin on board the carrier later this year. She is powered by an integrated electric drive with two gas turbines and four diesel engines enabling a range of 10,000 nautical miles while cruising at 15 knots. A second carrier of the class, to be named the Prince of Wales, is expected in 2020.
The Australian guided-missile frigate HMAS Darwin was decommissioned on 9 December after more than 33 years of service. Built in Seattle, Washington, during the early 1980s, she entered service on 21 July 1984. The Darwin was the fourth of six 453-foot RAN frigates built to the Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)–class design, which was known as the Adelaide class in Australian service. Displacing 4,200 tons when fully loaded, the Darwin and her sisters had been armed with a single Mk-13 launcher with SM-1 Standard surface-to-air missiles and Harpoon antiship missiles as well a three-inch gun, torpedo tubes, 20-mm CIWS, and two helicopters. Four of the frigates were extensively modernized between 2004 and 2009, primarily to increase air-defense capabilities. Improvements included replacement of the SM-1 with SM-2 missiles and the addition of a Mk-41 VLS for ESSM SAMs. The upgraded Adelaide-class frigates are being replaced by Australia’s new Aegis-equipped Hobart-class destroyers, the first of which entered service in 2017.