The Defense Ministry's budget request for fiscal 2024 has highlighted the ballooning costs of its plan to introduce new Aegis-equipped vessels to be on the lookout for missiles.
The recently submitted budget request includes ¥490 billion in expenses for the construction of the two ships and for other related matters, such as preparations for live-fire tests.
The overall Aegis-related costs will reach ¥900 billion if the amount already spent to purchase large radar and weapons systems made by Lockheed Martin and other items is included.