What is kongo class destroyer?

The Kongo-class destroyer is a class of four guided missile destroyers operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The ships were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and are named after mountains in Japan.

The Kongo-class destroyers are the most advanced surface combatants in the JMSDF, equipped with the Aegis combat system, which is a highly-advanced air defense and naval warfare system. They have a length of 161 meters, a displacement of 9,500 tons, and a top speed of over 30 knots.

The ships are armed with SM-2 and SM-3 surface-to-air missiles for air defense, and SSM-1B anti-ship missiles for naval warfare. They also have a 5-inch (127mm) gun, torpedoes, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system for further defense.

The Kongo-class destroyers have played a key role in Japan's maritime defense strategy, particularly in the East China Sea and the South China Sea where tensions with China remain high. They have also been deployed on international missions, including anti-piracy and humanitarian relief operations.