Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Thread

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Are they pushing the idea that this ship is for defence only and will limit its strike capability?

I believe Jane's already mentioned from last year, that their approach will be similar to USN/USMC practices on VTOL. JMSDF track record so far mostly using proven concept being done by USN.

If we see how they develop their flat top, we can see it's like evolving one. From first pair (Hyuga's) that mostly behave as LPH, and Izuno's pair then being prepared for light carriers. Perhaps the next pair is they finally decide on something similar to QE class, who knows. At least Japanese media and forums already shown much larger design for the next pair.

ROKN after their first pair of LPH, now moving to larger light carrier concept then Izumo's. The two models that being prepared shown sky jump usage (as one of them leverage Italian Trieste design). So, perhaps JMSDF will rather see their conversion works on Izumo's as test bed for their next pair of flat tops.

If they decide the next pair name Shokaku and Zuikaku, then we know the next pair will really be full fledge carriers. My guess (looking on political side) they wait for what PLAN and ROKN development move, to find right time to finaly release full fledge carriers. They already prepared 40+ more F-35B. Looking at the size and Izumo's conversion, I suspect only around 8-12 F-35B can be operate from Izumo's. Thus I do suspect they are preparing something bigger, later on.
 
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swerve

Super Moderator
Ise & Hyuga are too small to be useful F-35B carriers, but nor are they LPHs. The 'LP' in LPH stands for 'Landing Platform', which they aren't. They can carry troops, etc. in an emergency, but I think that really they're what the JMSDF says they are: ASW helicopter carriers able to operate as ASW flotilla leaders, or fleet flagships. They have flagship facilities, they're fast enough to keep up with destroyers & ASW frigates, & have sonars good enough for ASW & ASW weapons, as well as facilities to carry & operate numerous helicopters. They're able to support helicopter operations by smaller ships as well as operating their own, & the JMSDF still has six destroyer escorts with an ASW role but no helicopter capability & which could cooperate with ASW helicopters from other ships such as the Hyugas.

Imagine a carrier group: Izumo and/or Kaga, an ASW escort led by Hyuga which also functions as flagship, & AAW & ASW destroyers/frigates/DEs (until they retire). Plus some boats you don't see. ;) Does it make sense?
 

swerve

Super Moderator
The new Mogami-class is reported to have a SeaRAM, but none are in service yet. The first two are scheduled to be commissioned next year.
 

kato

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Meaning they don't plan upgrades of existing ships?

(usually with other user nations this is a part of rolling MLUs)
 

swerve

Super Moderator
No, just commenting on "only the two 22DDH/Izumo-class". 44 missiles is probably an upgrade for them (it's enough to load their launchers) but they're not quite the only ships.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
After the first phase of the modification work to operate F-35B was completed this Summer, this F-35B test campaign will take place between October 3 and 7. Tests will include landing and take off of F-35B Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) Fighter Aircraft from JS Izumo.

 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
The aircraft is non-Japanese and the F-35B does not belong to the JMSDF, but still its a special moment for the JMSDF:
the event marked the first time that a fixed wing aircraft landed and took off from a Japanese vessel, since the Imperial Japanese Navy was disbanded.



 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
After 76 years, another Fighter take off from Japanese Flat Tops. All thanks to PLAN. By name sake Izumo used to be only Cruiser during IJN time, but not Kaga. It's around 79 years ago when the original IJN Kaga went down in Midway, now perhaps 80 years later (as it's planned Kaga will have it's F-35B trials next year), the name sake Kaga as carrier will rise again.

I'm still hoping they're going to use Shokaku and Zuikaku as name sake for the next batch of their CV. Those two names should be revive, as they are the most successful Japanese carrier in WW2.

Add another video on that F-35B USMC trials from Naval News.
 

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
I'm still hoping they're going to use Shokaku and Zuikaku as name sake for the next batch of their CV. Those two names should be revive, as they are the most successful Japanese carrier in WW2.

Add another video on that F-35B USMC trials from Naval News.
Yes I would be pretty sure Nimitz was glad they were not at Midway as they would have been except for the damage suffered in the Coral Sea to one and the other losing most of its Air Gp.
 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Originally, the deployment of Aegis Ashore was set to begin in FY2023, but the commissioning of the Aegis System-equipped ship that is supposed to replace it may be delayed for nearly another decade.

I dont know how much larger and heavier these two new vessels will become, compared to the Maya-class destroyers, but i am afraid that there will be many delays and cost overruns.

 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) launched today "Hakugei" at its shipyard in Kobe. It is the second of the new Taigei-class, the latest class of advanced diesel electric submarines (SSK) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is expected that the 84 meter long Hakugei SS-514 will be commissioned in 2023, one year after the first of class Taigei SS-513.


 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
This class of two ships will be used to transport fuel to front-line bases in Okinawa and the Nansei Islands, or to fuel anchored JMSDF vessels. Because of this the tankers do not have fueling stations and can not perform underway replenishment missions.

According to the article these two vessels will be the first oil tankers of the JMSDF ever, but the JMSDF is already in the possession of 5 replenishment oilers.

 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group
is expected that the 84 meter long Hakugei SS-514 will be commissioned in 2023, one year after the first of class Taigei SS-513.

Add the video on that launch. I do wonder if JMSDF will maintain their Submarine longer. In average they only maintain their submarine in average of around 2 decades. Shorter then other Navy which maintain their Subs in average around 3 decades. I suspect this is related to three thing; Desires to keep their submarine yards work share open continously, Keeping up with tech development, and Manning and Operational readiness issue.

The First two actually in my opinion can be handle by contious upgrading the existing Subs. However if they have problem on last one, that's going to be problematic in order to enlarge their Submarine fleet. Thus no choice to get the first and second goals but to retiree their submarine earlier then other Navy.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
IIRC they plan to increase the size of the submarine fleet not by building more, but by keeping subs in service longer while building at the same rate.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
IIRC they plan to increase the size of the submarine fleet not by building more, but by keeping subs in service longer while building at the same rate.
Yes, I seem to recall an article suggesting their fleet could be expanded by that method. Given tensions in the region, longer service with an increased build rate might also be in the cards.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
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