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Naval Forces News - Japan |
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Work In Progress on Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Second Izumo
class Helicopter Destroyer |
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Recent pictures have emmerged showing the construction work in progress
on Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) second Izumo-class
helicopter carrier. The island has been placed on the hull of the destroyer
in the dry construction dock at the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries
Co., Ltd (IHI Corporation) in Yokohama. The DDH-184 which has yet to
be nammed should be launched in August this year. |
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 DDH-184,
the second Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer in the dry construction
dock in Yokohama. |
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First of class DDH138
Izumo was commissioned on 25 March 2015 in Yokosuka naval base.
Izumo is the flagship of the JMSDF fleet and is the largest warship
built by Japan since World War II. The 248-meter-long and 19,500-ton
helicopter carrier was unveiled for the first time in August 2013 in
Yokohama.
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 DDH-184, the second Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer with its island installed. |
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Izumo
is able to accomodate nine helicopters. The ceremony took place with some
3,600 people, including the Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the helicopter carrier is expected to play a key role both in defense of territorial sovereignty, in rescue missions, and in case of natural disasters. Independent experts, however, believe that the warship, given its large size, could conceivably one day be used as a versatile aircraft carrier and serve as a platform to launch fighter aircraft capable of vertical takeoff (such the F-35B) To learn more: Izumo class (22DDH) Helicopter Destroyer Technical Datasheet |
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