Will Japan Navy's JS Isumo operate Italy Navy's F-35s?.

According to information published by Nikkei on July 4, 2023, the Chief of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, Yoshinari Sakei, announced that they plan to collaborate with the Italian Navy on the operation of F35 fighter jets.
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Royal Australian Navy's Anzac class frigate HMAS Anzac and Japanese JS Izumo. (Picture source: Japanese MoD)

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is undergoing a significant transition, highlighted by the transformation of the JS Izumo (DDH-183), the lead ship of the Izumo class, from a helicopter carrier into a light aircraft carrier.

This modification will allow the Izumo to operate fixed-wing aircraft for the first time since World War II, reflecting Japan's reorientation of its defense guidelines.

This transformation has been in the works since 2018 when Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party announced its support for the conversion. The Izumo, which can house up to 28 aircraft, or 14 larger ones, is now poised to accommodate F-35 Lightning II aircraft, a first for a non-US military.

Parallel to this development, the JMSDF announced plans to collaborate with the Italian Navy regarding the operation of F-35 fighter jets. Yoshinari Sakei, the Chief of the JMSDF, made this announcement at a press conference, hinting at the possibility of Italian Navy's F35s landing and taking off from Japan's Izumo-class escort ships during the ship's modification phase.

This collaboration signifies an important step in defense cooperation between Japan and Italy. It not only reaffirms their collective defense commitment but also presents opportunities for knowledge sharing and increased interoperability between the two navies.

Both countries currently operate the F35, with Japan considering additional purchases of the STOVL version (F-35B) that could operate from a modified Izumo-class ship.

Thus, the transformation of the JS Izumo, coupled with the international collaboration with Italy, marks a significant milestone in Japan's naval capabilities and defense strategy.

Technical data

The Izumo's other specifications include a displacement of 19,500 long tons (standard) to 27,000 long tons (full load), a length of 248 m, a beam of 38 m, and a draft of 7.5 m.

She uses a COGAG propulsion system with four GE/IHI LM2500IEC gas turbines, and it can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots. The ship can accommodate 970 people, including crew and troops.

JS Izumo is equipped with OYQ-12 combat direction and FCS-3 fire control systems, OPS-50 AESA and OPS-28 surface-search radars, and an OQQ-23 bow sonar. For defense, it uses a NOLQ-3D-1 EW suite, Mark 36 SRBOC, an anti-torpedo mobile decoy (MOD), and a floating acoustic jammer (FAJ). Its armament includes 2 Phalanx and 2 SeaRAM close-in weapon systems (CIWS).