U.S. to Deploy State-of-the-Art Warships in Japan

The U.S. Navy will deploy the amphibious assault ship USS America and stealth landing platform USS New Orleans in japan.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said Monday that the vessels will be deployed at Sasebo naval base in order to replace an Aegis destroyer and landing vessel.

The 45,000-ton USS America was built in 2014 and is 257 m long. It can carry up to 20 F-35B stealth fighter jets. The 25,000-ton USS New Orleans took part in a major joint military drill with South Korea in 2016.

"The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships forward," the Navy said in its statement. "This posture allows the most rapid response times possible for maritime and joint forces and brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear in the timeliest manner."

A military source here said the warships are probably being deployed to deal quickly with threats from North Korea while sending a strong signal against any rash maritime maneuvers by China.

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