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Naval Forces News - Japan |
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Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Unveils Newest, Largest Helicopter Destroyer
DDH183 Izumo |
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Japan showed for the first time on Tuesday the Japan Maritime Self Defense
Force (JMSDF) future helicopter carrier which will become the flagship
of its fleet and is the largest warship built by Japan since World War
II. The 248-meter-long and 19,500-ton helicopter carrier named Izumo
is still under construction in Yokohama and is set to be commissioned
into service in 2015. |
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DDH183 Izumo is 248-meter-long and 19,500-ton. It is the largest warship
built by Japan since World War II.
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Once commissioned, the ship will be 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.
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Bow view of DDH183 Izumo
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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)
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