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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan commissions Izumo 'helicopter carrier' as largest ship in MSDF fleet |
| 2015-03-25 |
| The Maritime Self-Defense Force on March 25 officially commissioned the largest ship in its fleet, Izumo, a massive destroyer that gives it the capability of detecting highly advanced Chinese submarines. The Izumo measures 248 meters in length, leading some, including media in China and South Korea, to describe it as a "semi-aircraft carrier." It is 51 meters longer than the destroyer Hyuga, which was the largest ship in the MSDF fleet until now. Jane's Fighting Ships, a respected reference book on the world's warships released annually in Britain, describes the Izumo as a helicopter carrier. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #6 * WORLD MILITARY FORUM > JAPAN'S "SANKEI SHIMBUN" MEDIA: PM ABE SAYS JAPAN MUST NOT "THROW IN THE TOWEL" OR BE DISHEARTENED IN THE FACE OF CHINA'S MILITARY EXPANSION BEYOND ITS OFFICIAL DEFENCE BUDGET LEVELS. JAPAN'S SDF TO SEE ITS OWN BUDGET INCREASE IN ORDER TO HELP DEFEND JAPAN'S SOVEREIGN TERRITORIES. * DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > SINO-RUSSIAN MILITARY POWER DWARFS US MILITARY POWER | [Global Times] CHINA REBUKES US OFFICIAL OVER MARITIME PATROL PROPOSAL. US/USN-supported joint patrols BY ASEAN in the disputed SCS. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2015-03-25 22:28 |
| #5 This answers some questions I've had recently about additions to the JSDF. There are actually two such "helicopter carriers" built by Japan, with ship numbers I81 and I83. The Izumo is I83. It differs from I81 in having a second elevator on the side aft of the superstructure, instead of in the middle of the deck, like the forward elevator. China is forcing Japan to rethink its military posture. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Japan build a full-size aircraft carrier in the near future. For those interested, you can see the shipyard with the two vessels under construction at 39-23.5N, 139-38E. I81 is in dry-dock, I83 is at a fitting-out pier, and has no number yet. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2015-03-25 21:41 |
| #4 That is a great link. Thanks Pappy. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2015-03-25 18:06 |
| #3 Great link Pappy, thanks. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2015-03-25 15:15 |
| #2 Some background info on the Izumo name, history, and controversy. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2015-03-25 13:57 |
| #1 Open source sez that, though the Izumo does not have STOL capability, it is engineered so as to be retrofit-able. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2015-03-25 13:54 |