Why did the US send warships equipped with advanced laser weapons to Japan?

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) recently quoted an announcement from the US Navy saying that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble left its base in San Diego, California (USA) on September 22 and is expected to conduct tests of the Helios system while crossing the Pacific Ocean .

US destroyer USS Preble to be equipped with Helios system in 2021

The USS Preble's forward presence supports the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan, enhances U.S. national security, and improves the ability to protect America's strategic interests, according to the U.S. Navy.

The USS Preble is just one of 73 destroyers in its class to be equipped with Helios, a weapon developed by US defense giant Lockheed Martin and designed to intercept aerial threats such as drones, missiles and even small boats. The USS Preble will be equipped with this laser weapon in 2021.

Helios is based on a 60kW high-energy laser that can be fired at a target at the speed of light and is designed to melt or overheat the target, causing it to malfunction or explode.

“It is clear that the US is prioritising the Indo- Pacific region and ensuring that it has the best resources in the right areas to respond to any contingencies it may encounter. Simply put, the US wants its best weapons systems to be on the front lines,” Dr Hinata-Yamaguchi Ryo, a researcher at the Institute of International Strategy at Tokyo International University, told SCMP.

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Another reason for the deployment of the USS Preble and other advanced warships in the region, including the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Vermont, which docked in the South Korean port of Busan on September 23 for refueling, is to underscore Washington’s commitment to regional security.

"The US is facing a strong rival in the region and this show of force is intended to send a message to Beijing that while China is strong, the US is also stronger," commented Mr. Hinata-Yamaguchi.

The move coincides with the release of the US Navy’s Navigator Plan 2024, which outlines the challenges ahead. It is the first report to state explicitly that the US Navy must be ready for “the possibility of war with China by 2027,” according to SCMP. The 30-page report identifies China as the greatest threat to US interests.

According to Nikkei Asia , although the USS Preble is equipped with Helios, the system is still in the sea trial phase, with more tests to be conducted as the ship crosses the Pacific and after it is built in Japan.

The US Navy currently has 12 warships deployed to Yokosuka, the largest US naval base outside the US and home port of the US Navy's 7th Fleet. The US Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington is expected to be based in Yokosuka from mid-November.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-my-dieu-tau-chien-trang-bi-vu-khi-laser-tien-tien-toi-nhat-185240926111534761.htm