Page 63 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017

f The “Izumo” class helicopter
destroyer (22DDH) helicopter
carrier is the largest surface
combatants of the MSDF, taking over
the mantle currently held by the
“Hyuga” class helicopter destroyers.
The lead ship was officially unveiled
at Yokohama on 6 August 2013.

fibre-reinforced plastic. In total,
three will join the service and replace
the wooden-hulled “Yaeyama” class
vessels. The first unit was received in
March and the second is scheduled
for delivery next year. These units
could, in future, be deployed abroad,
inclu ding in the Persian Gulf, ac-
cording to Japanese media. The total
planned number of combat aircraft
for the MSDF will be 170. Regarding
helicopters, Japan is looking to pro-
cure up to 80 ship-based multirole
helicopters.
The MSDF is also developing HI-
BIKI-class ocean surveillance ships;
indeed, two out of three units are al-
ready in service. At the same time the
development of new long-range sur-
face-to-air missiles is being financed,
and the service is looking to procure
Type 12 surface-to-surface missiles.
In February, Japanese media revealed
that, due to increasing tensions with
China, Tokyo plans to build two
3,000t frigates per year starting from
April 2018. In total, eight new units,
which will have MCM and ASW
capabilities, are reportedly to be
procured, although the designer and
builder have yet to be announced.
The final winners will be asked by
Japan’s MoD to allocate some ele-
ments of the work to other Japanese
shipyards in order to save them from
financial problems.

Moving forward
Japan will remain a country whose
defence potential is mainly indig-
enous; even if the JSDF procures
A Japanese Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) disembarks equipment and vehicles. equipment from foreign companies,
local industry will be the dominant
supplier. An element of this strategy
class (1), and “Kongo” class (1) destroyers. Japan is also modernising its “Oyashio” class is the Innovative Science and Technology Ini-
As for DDGs, Japan now has six units (two submarines in order to increase its total fleet to tiative for Security funding programme estab-
“Atago -class and four “Kongos”) but will 22. In March 2017, the MSDF commissioned lished by the MoD, whose goal is to involve
have eight by 2020 and will also acquire 246 the second “Izumo” class helicopter destroyer, independent administrative agencies, universi-
SM-2 Block IIIB missiles for destroyers. Two currently intended to mount SH-60K (ASW) ties and civilian research centres in research
new and improved “Atago” class units, known and MCH-101 (MCM) helicopters, but capa- and development for military purposes. The
as the 27DD-subclass, are expected to be com- ble of operating the V-22 in the future. Japanese government and ATLA have stated
missioned in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, the Japan has thus accomplished its goal of that, potentially, the most important fields
“Asahi” class destroyer was launched in Oc- having a ‘quasi-aircraft carrier’ in each of four in the medium to long term (i.e. the next 20
tober 2016. escort flotillas; two smaller “Hyuga” class and years) are unmanned technologies, smart and
In March 2018, the MSDF received its two “Izumos.” The MSDF is also developing network technologies, high-power energy, and
eighth “Soryu” class submarine; four were the “Awaji” class minesweepers, launched improvements in the functions and perfor-
built and delivered by MHI and four by KHI. by JMUC, with hulls made of composite mance of existing platforms. NAFO
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