The JS Kongo is the lead ship of the class and was the first Japanese ship to make use of the US-built AEGIS system. Kongo was laid down in 1990, launched in 1991 and commissioned in 1993. Right after her launch Kongo was sent to Hawaii in order to undergo weapon tests in cooperation with the US Navy. During this trial the system proved fully capable. During the RIMPAC 2000 exercise Kongo led a large formation of warships to the mission area, in which the ship performed well once more. Following the exercise Kongo laid into dock to be modified, now capable of carrying a larger variety of missiles. In 2012 Kongo, along with Myoko and Chokai, provided cover against a North Korean missile which had been launched.
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