Breaking news
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force DDH183 Izumo Helicopter Destroyer Started Sea Trials.
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Naval Forces News - Japan |
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Japan Maritime Self Defense Force DDH183 Izumo Helicopter Destroyer
Started Sea Trials |
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A video from Japan emmerged showing the Japan Maritime Self Defense
Force (JMSDF) future helicopter carrier DDH138
Izumo first shakedown cruise at Uraga Channel (Tokyo
Bay). Izumo will become 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 and is set to be commissioned into service in 2015. |
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Video of DDH183 Izumo
setting sail under her own power for trials at sea |
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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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 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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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 |