Japan’s Ministry of Defense has taken delivery of its first batch of four AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas from Lockheed Martin. The systems will be integrated into the nation’s first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV)—a new class of advanced warships designed to reinforce Japan’s maritime defense capabilities.
Two ASEVs are currently under construction, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries leading the build of the first ship and Japan Marine United Corporation managing the second. The vessels are expected to join the fleet in 2028 and 2029, significantly enhancing Japan’s ability to counter evolving airborne and missile threats.
The SPY-7 radar system, a key component of the ASEV, provides simultaneous detection and engagement capabilities across multiple threat domains. This includes advanced ballistic missile defense, air and missile tracking, and hypersonic threat interception. Its scalable architecture and ability to filter out false targets make it one of the most reliable radar systems currently in development.
The radar units were delivered through a Direct Commercial Sale arrangement, following successful performance evaluations. Lockheed Martin fulfilled the delivery via Mitsubishi Corporation, following extensive quality checks and validation processes.
