A Japanese navy destroyer shot down a ballistic missile on Monday in a test about 100 miles over the Pacific Monday, a first for a US ally, US and Japanese forces said.

In December 2003, Japan decided to upgrade its 4 existing Kongo Class AEGIS Destroyers and their SPY-1D radars to full AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense capability. Installations where scheduled for 2007 through 2010, and each installation would be followed by a flight test to demonstrate proper operation. They will fire the naval SM-3 Standard missile, which is under co-development as part of cooperation with the USA on missile defense. These ships are intended to form the outer layer of Japan's anti ballistic missile shield, with the land-based Patriot PAC-3 forming the point defense component.

The US55 million test was a "major milestone" in growing US-Japanese cooperation, said Rear Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Lt. General Henry Obering, head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency.

The Japanese have a rich navel tradition and have been keen to strengthen ties with the US in a variety of areas

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