r/WarshipPorn

The Japanese ASEV (Aegis System Equipped Vessel) is a replacement for the cancelled Aegis Ashore program and will provide Ballistic Missile Defense for Japan. Note that the third picture doesnt show ASEV, it shows a Maya class DDG for size comparision.

The first ASEV ship had its keel laid on the 18th July, 2025, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works. This is the ship and shipyard we see on the pictures above. The second ASEV vessel was laid down on 5th February 2026 at Japan Marine United Isogo shipyard in Yokohama City, south of Tokyo.

The steady construction process of the first vessel is clearly visible between the first and fourth pictures, though for now only the rear section of the vessel seems to have been assembled, up to the helicopter landing deck. The comparison with the Maya class DDG Haguro in the second and third photos illustrate the size difference, with the ASEV having around 70% more displacement (Maya: 8200 tons standard, 10.250 tons fully loaded; ASEV: estimated 14.000 tons standard). According to Naval News, who quote the Japanese Ministry of Defense (but provide no source), the first ship is supposed to be launched in Fiscal Year 2026 (the japanese FY goes from April to March, so the launch will probably happen in early 2027).

Source for the first 3 pictures is a japanese Twitter account, posted yesterday (I think the photo was also taken yesterday, but its not 100% clear or if it was only posted yesterday but is older).

Source for the last two pictures is a Naval News article from 27th March.

https://x.com/navylookout/status/2057042043029885336?s=46

HMS Spartan was a British light cruiser of the Dido class, built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Constructed by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, she was launched in 1942 and commissioned on 12 July 1943. Like other ships of her class, Spartan was designed primarily for fleet air defence, carrying a main armament of rapid-firing 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns capable of engaging both aircraft and surface targets.

After entering service, Spartan operated mainly in the Mediterranean theatre. She took part in convoy protection, fleet screening duties, and naval bombardments in support of Allied operations. During 1943 she was involved in operations around Italy following the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian mainland. Her speed and anti-aircraft firepower made her valuable in protecting larger warships and transport convoys from enemy aircraft.

In January 1944, Spartan was stationed off Anzio during Operation Shingle, the Allied amphibious landing in Italy. On 29 January she was attacked by German aircraft using a guided bomb, believed to have been a Henschel Hs 293 radio-controlled glide bomb. The weapon struck the cruiser and caused catastrophic damage. Spartan sank quickly in shallow water with heavy loss of life among her crew.

More photos here