The Izumo-class helicopter destroyer or 22DDH is a type of new helicopter carrier class
being constructed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The ships of this class will be the
largest surface combatants of the JMSDF, taking over the mantle currently held by the Hyūga-class helicopter
destroyers. The lead ship was officially unveiled at Yokohama on 6 August 2013.
Construction The Japanese Ministry of Defense first announced
plans for the class on November 23, 2009. This ship's primary mission is anti-submarine
warfare but peacekeeping and disaster relief operations are also being considered.
The ship will be able to carry 14 helicopters; and could possibly carry up to 28 aircraft.
However, only 7 ASW helicopters and 2 SAR helicopters are planned for the initial aircraft
complement. For other operations, 400 troops and 50 3.5t trucks can also be carried. The
flight deck has 5 helicopter landing spots that allow simultaneous landings or take-offs.
The ship is equipped with 2 Phalanx CIWS and 2 SeaRAM for its defense. The destroyers of
this class were initially intended to replace the two ships of the Shirane class, which
were originally scheduled to begin decommissioning in FY2014.
In 2010, Forecast International reported that some design features were intended to support
fixed wing aircraft such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning
II; although neither the MOD nor the JMSDF have mentioned the possibility of introducing
fixed-wing aircraft. The ship has neither a "ski-jump" nor a catapult, typical features
for launching fixed-wing aircraft. If Izumo-class ships were to operate fixed-wing aircraft,
it would be limited to STOVL aircraft, which Japan recently acquired F-35A and a possible
of F-35B. The construction of the first ship of the
class began in 2011 at an IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama, with funding totalling
113.9 billion yen being set aside in the fiscal 2010 budget for this purpose. Commissioning
of the first of class is currently scheduled for 2015.
Ships in the class In September 2011, The Asahi Shinbun reported
that the Ministry of Defence is to proceed with a budget request calling for funds for
the construction of the planned second unit in the class, but finally, the budget was
approved and construction contract was awarded to IHI Corporation in October 2012. This will
come under the Defense Ministry's Mid-Term Defense Program FY2011-2015. The first ship
in the class, the Izumo was launched on 6 August 2013.
Unveiling On August 6, 2013 the JS Izumo (DDH-183)
was unveiled in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan. The Washington Post noted that this
ship, the biggest warship in Japan's fleet since World War II, "has raised eyebrows in
China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier"
and has been described by the Chinese, as an “aircraft-carrier in disguise”. Though
called a destroyer, some experts believe the new Japanese ship could potentially be used
in the future to launch fighter jets or other fixed wing aircraft.
Japanese officials say it will be used in national defense. Specifically, they cited
anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions. Additionally, it is intended to
bolster the nation’s ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale
disasters. This unveiling occurred at a time of heightened tensions over several small
disputed islands called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China. The islands are
located between southern Japan and Taiwan. See also
Sea Control Ship Italian aircraft carrier Cavour (550)
HMS Ocean (L12) Ōsumi-class tank landing ship
Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer References
External links CG Photos of 19500t class 22DDH destroyer
Ships of the World 22DDH Class GlobalSecurity.org
Illustrations of 22DDH class GlobalSecurity.org