In this section:
In the early 90s, as the world celebrated the end of East-West bipolarization with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Japan set out to develop a world-class high seas fleet capable of defending all of the archipelago against a technologically advanced adversary. Did Japan anticipate China's meteoric transformation, and the threat it would pose to its security just 20 years later?
In any case, the High Seas Fleet of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces now occupies third place among the world navies, sharing, behind the US Navy and the PLA, its podium with the Russian fleet, but far surpassing European fleets.
It currently has 18 attack submarines, 4 helicopter-carrying destroyers, 8 heavy destroyers, 20 destroyers and 16 frigates and light frigates, supported by 5 auxiliary ships, but aims to increase this format during the decade to come, so as to maintain its dissuasive capabilities against the Sino-Russian couple. In 2030, the Japanese fleet will be composed, according to current programs, as follows:
4 Izumo-class and Hyuga-class aircraft carriers for the Japanese fleet in 2030
The two aircraft carrier destroyers of the Izumo class, entered into service in 2015 and 2017, measure 27.000 tons for 248 meters long. Both vessels will be modified to implement the 42 F35B take-off and landing short / vertical ordered in 2019 to the United States, becoming aircraft carriers in their own right.
It is not excluded, depending on the number of Chinese aircraft carriers that will enter service over the next decade, that Tokyo decides to build a third unit, so as to guarantee a permanent response capacity. Japan has not had an aircraft carrier since the end of World War II.
The Japanese fleet also has 2 helicopter carrier 19.000 tons of the Hyuga class entered service in 2009 and 2011, and capable of operating up to 18 helicopters of all types, including heavy CH-47 and V-22 Osprey helicopters.
These ships, which carry a complete offensive and defensive system, including a Mk41 vertical missile launch system using medium-range RIM-162 ESSM anti-aircraft missiles and ASROC anti-submarine missiles, are specialized in anti-submarine warfare and against surface units.
3 Osumi-class assault ships
There are 75% of this article left to read, Subscribe to access it!
The Classic subscriptions provide access to
articles in their full version, and without advertising,
from €1,99. Subscriptions Premium also allow access to archives (articles over two years old)
[…] Japan's Naval Self-Defense Forces are considered the most powerfully armed 3rd fleet in the world, on par with Russia and second only to the US Navy and naval forces […]