Japanese destroyer to join U.S. missile test

Published: May 10, 2006
Source: news.xinhuanet.com



TOKYO, May 9 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyer will participate a U.S. anti-ballistic missile test off Hawaii, possibly next month, Kyodo News said Tuesday, citing Japan's naval forces.

This would be the first time for a Japanese Aegis destroyer to take part in such a test, according to the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF).

During the exercise, the 7,250-ton destroyer Kirishima will track a mock ballistic missile using its radar, while a U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer tries to intercept the incoming missile with a conventional Standard Missile-3 interceptor, the MSDF said.

The joint test is aimed to enhance information sharing between Japan and the United States under an ongoing joint missile defense project, said the report.continue..