Japan Marine United (JMU) has showcased the early-stage design of next-generation destroyers for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at a convention in Chiba.
At the event, the Yokohama-based company revealed scale models of the “DDGX” and “DDX” vessels, which are set to replace the military’s 1990s-era Kongō-class and Murasame-class destroyers.
Despite having these drafts, Tokyo’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has not yet announced tenders and contracts associated with the construction of the fleet, a report from Naval News said.
Japan Marine United (JMU) showed for the first time conceptual designs for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s future destroyers – DDGX and DDX – during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition held last month 🇯🇵https://t.co/A3Enad7gq3
— Naval News (@navalnewscom) June 2, 2025
Possible Features
Images captured by the news outlet showed that one of the models included a railgun and Kawasaki-made directed energy weapons that were also introduced at the symposium.
Meanwhile, each vessel had a transmitting tower, which could possibly be based on the UNICORN communication mast installed aboard the Japanese navy’s Mogami-class stealth frigates.
Last year, Japan confirmed that the DDX’s initial design phase will incorporate features of the Mogami frigates and Asahi-class destroyers.
Alongside the DDGX and DDX miniatures, a third ship was spotted at JMU’s booth with a cross-section mark, potentially suggesting a cut to lessen components and hull size compared to the first two designs.
‘Purely Conceptual’
Since the DDGX/DDX program has not been officially disclosed, JMU presented its display concepts with caution and minimal detail, according to the report. Large spaces on the models’ upper decks were also left empty during the exhibit.
“As requirements have not been released by the Japanese [Ministry of Defense], the technologies and the design shown here is purely conceptual,” a JMU representative told Naval News.
“Empty spaces you see here could accommodate any type of system, either weapons, containers or other solutions, it is still to be determined. We will know more when ATLA will release official requirements.”
