US Navy Deploys Laser-Equipped Destroyer to Japan, Experts Say It’sAimed at China
Tokyo, Japan – The United States Navy hasdeployed a destroyer equipped with cutting-edge laser weapons to Yokosuka, Japan, further escalating tensions with China. The USS Preble, the only Arleigh Burke-class destroyer armed with a high-energy laser weapon system (HELIOS), departed San Diego on September 22nd, according to a report byNikkei Asia.
This deployment comes on the heels of the US Navy’s release of its 2024 operational guidance plan, which outlines a strategy to prepare for confrontation with China by 2027. Theplan emphasizes the use of robotic and unmanned systems to bolster the Navy’s capabilities.
The HELIOS system, integrated with the Preble, is capable of disabling drones and missiles, potentially playing a key role in future conflicts, particularly againstswarms of drones and anti-ship missiles, Nikkei Asia reports.
A Congressional Research Service report updated in August highlights the cost-effectiveness of ship-based lasers. Drawing energy from the ship’s power supply, these lasers can fire repeatedly and indefinitely, with each shot costing less than $10, primarilydue to fuel used for power generation. This makes them a cost-effective solution against a nation like China, which possesses a vast arsenal of drones and anti-ship missiles and has the capacity to produce or acquire more.
However, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the laser weapon. Adam Smith, a Democraticcongressman from Washington state and member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed skepticism, stating that the direct energy laser might not be effective and its range is limited.
The Preble is expected to join a fleet of 12 ships, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and is scheduled to arrive in Yokosukaby mid-November. It will replace the USS Benfold, another destroyer stationed in Japan.
Lü Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, believes the US is increasingly militarizing its stance against China. He sees the deployment of the Preble as part of the US’sIndo-Pacific Strategy, aimed at suppressing China. Japan, he notes, is a key player in this strategy.
China is prepared for any provocation and will take appropriate measures, Lü Chao stated.
This latest development underscores the growing military rivalry between the US and China in the Asia-Pacific region. Thedeployment of a laser-equipped destroyer to Japan is a clear signal of the US’s commitment to maintaining its military dominance in the region and countering China’s growing influence.
References:
- Nikkei Asia: [Link to article]
- Congressional Research Service: [Link to report]
*Global Times: [Link to article]
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