JS Izumo
{{Short description|Japanese helicopter carrier}}
{{About|the JMSDF aircraft carrier|the Russo-Japanese War-era cruiser|Japanese cruiser Izumo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = JS Izumo（DDH-183）seen from the sky 10-03-2021.jpg | Ship caption = JS Izumo (DDH-183) with new markings and heat resistance coating on the flight deck, 3 October 2021 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = Japan | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Japan|naval}} | Ship name = *Izumo
| Ship namesake = Izumo Province | Ship ordered = 2010 | Ship awarded = | Ship builder = IHI Marine United | Ship original cost = | Ship laid down = 27 January 2012 | Ship launched = 6 August 2013 | Ship sponsor = | Ship christened = | Ship completed = | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 25 March 2015 | Ship recommissioned = | Ship decommissioned = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship renamed = | Ship reclassified = | Ship refit = | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship homeport = | Ship identification = *Hull number: DDH-183
| Ship motto = | Ship nickname = | Ship honors = | Ship captured = | Ship fate = | Ship status = In active service | Ship notes = | Ship badge = 150px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass|Izumo|destroyer|0}} multi-purpose operation destroyer | Ship displacement = *{{convert|19,950|t|LT|abbr=on}} empty;{{cite web |title=護衛艦「いずも」型 |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ddh/izumo/ |website=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force}}
| Ship length = {{convert|248|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|38|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = {{convert|23.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = {{convert|7.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *COGAG, two shafts{{cite news |title=ＩＨＩＭＵ、防衛省から平成２２年度計画ヘリコプター搭載護衛艦を受注 |url=http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=278235&lindID=4 |newspaper=Nikkei Shimbun |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011}} | Ship speed = More than {{convert|30|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}} | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship boats = | Ship troops = | Ship complement = 970 including crew and troops | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = * OYQ-12 combat direction system | Ship EW = * NOLQ-3D-1 EW suite
| Ship armament = *2 × Phalanx CIWS | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = *7 ASW helicopters and 2 SAR helicopters | Ship aircraft facilities = | Ship notes = }} |
JS Izumo (DDH-183) is a helicopter carrier which, as of 2022, is being converted into a light aircraft carrier. Officially classified as a multi-purpose operation destroyer, she is the lead ship in the {{sclass|Izumo|destroyer|4}} of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). She is the second warship to be named for Izumo Province, with the previous ship being the armored cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Izumo||2}} (1898).
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party announced in May 2018 that it favours converting Izumo to operate fixed-wing aircraft.{{cite web|last1=FUJIWARA|first1=SHINICHI|title=LDP calls for scrapping 1% cap on Japan's defense budget|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805260034.html|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|language=ja|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103155531/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805260034.html|url-status=dead}} The conversion was confirmed in December 2018 when Japan announced the change of its defense guidelines. Upon the completion of the process, Izumo will be the first Japanese naval vessel to operate fixed-wing aircraft since World War II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/japans-new-plan-for-izumo-f-35-carrier-a-tool-against-chinas-navy-2018-12|title=Japan unveiled new plans for an F-35 aircraft carrier — and it's a Chinese navy killer|last=Lockie|first=Alex|website=Business Insider|access-date=28 December 2019}}
Design and construction
The construction of the first ship of the Izumo class began in 2011 at an IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama,{{cite news|date=1 April 2011|title=ＩＨＩ、防衛省からヘリコプター搭載護衛艦を８００億円で受注|language=ja|newspaper=Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun|url=http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0120110401agbx.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217135405/http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0120110401agbx.html|archive-date=17 December 2014}} with funding totalling 113.9 billion yen ($1.5 billion) being set aside in the fiscal 2010 budget for this purpose. The destroyers of this class were initially intended to replace the two ships of the {{sclass|Shirane|destroyer|4}}, which were originally scheduled to begin decommissioning in FY2014.{{cite news|author=Ministry of Defense|author-link=Ministry of Defense (Japan)|title=平成２１年度政策評価書（事前の事業評価）|language=ja|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jizen/honbun/01.pdf|format=PDF|website=Mod.go.jp|access-date=18 September 2011}}
Izumo, the largest Japanese naval vessel since World War II, was laid down on 27 January 2012 and launched on 6 August 2013.{{cite web|title=国内最大のヘリコプター搭載護衛艦の起工式を開催 (Ground-breaking ceremony of the nation's largest helicopter carriers held)|url=http://www.ihi.co.jp/ihi/press/2011/2012-1-27/index.html|website=Ihi.co.jp|access-date=13 January 2014|language=ja|date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620125930/http://www.ihi.co.jp/ihi/press/2011/2012-1-27/index.html|archive-date=20 June 2012}}{{cite web|title=Japan unveils new carrier-like warship, largest in navy since WWII|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/japan-unveils-new-carrier-like-warship-largest-in-navy-since-wwii/|publisher=Fox News|access-date=13 January 2014|date=6 August 2013}} The ship began sea trials on 29 September 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/43775/japan-puts-helicopter-carrier-izumo-on-sea-trials|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001025714/http://www.janes.com/article/43775/japan-puts-helicopter-carrier-izumo-on-sea-trials|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2014|title=Japan puts helicopter carrier Izumo on sea trials|work=Jane's Information Group|access-date=2 October 2014}} The ship was commissioned on 25 March 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/categories/military/Japan-Commissions-Largest-Ever-Helicopter-Carrier_84607.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144430/http://www.aviationtoday.com/categories/military/Japan-Commissions-Largest-Ever-Helicopter-Carrier_84607.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|title=Japan Commissions Largest-Ever Helicopter Carrier|work=Aviation Today|access-date =30 March 2015}}
The ship is as large as a Japanese carrier of Second World War-era.{{cite news|last1=Kelly|first1=Tim|last2=Kubo|first2=Nobuhiro|title=Japan plans to send largest warship to South China Sea, sources say|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-navy-southchinasea-exclusive-idUSKBN16K0UP|access-date=13 March 2017|website=Reuters.com|date=13 March 2017}} Izumo is called a destroyer because all large combat ships, except for submarines, are classified as destroyers according to the regulations of the JMSDF.{{Cite report|title=海上自衛隊の使用する船舶の区分等及び名称等を付与する標準を定める訓令|author=防衛庁長官 江崎真澄|date=1960-09-24|url=http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/a_fd/1960/ax19600924_00030_000.pdf|section=別表第1}} This vessel allows Japan to project military power well beyond its territorial waters.
Characteristics
=Aircraft carried=
File:USMC F-35B conducting a vertical landing aboard the JS Izumo.jpg conducts a vertical landing aboard Izumo off the coast of Japan, on 3 October 2021.]]
File:JS Ise＆JS Izumo conducted joint exercises with the HMS Queen Elizabeth strike group.jpg
The ship can carry up to 28 aircraft, or 14 larger aircraft.{{cite web|last1=Hardy |first1=James |url=http://www.janes.com/article/50196/japan-commissions-helicopter-carrier-izumo |title=Japan commissions helicopter carrier Izumo |website=Janes.com |date=25 March 2015 |access-date=20 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504021643/http://www.janes.com/article/50196/japan-commissions-helicopter-carrier-izumo |archive-date=4 May 2015 }} Only seven ASW helicopters and two SAR helicopters are planned for the initial aircraft complement. For other operations, 400 troops and 50 3.5-ton trucks (or equivalent equipment) can also be carried. The flight deck has five helicopter landing spots that allow simultaneous landings and take-offs.
In 2010, Forecast International reported that some design features were intended to support fixed-wing aircraft such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II;{{cite news |title=Details of New Japanese 'Helicopter Destroyer' |author= Forecast International|url=http://www.defencetalk.com/details-of-new-japanese-helicopter-destroyer-27119/ |newspaper=Defensetalk |date=21 June 2010}} although neither the Ministry of Defense nor the JMSDF have mentioned the possibility of introducing fixed-wing aircraft. The ship has neither a "ski-jump" nor a catapult, typical features for launching fixed-wing aircraft.Holm, Erik. "[http://ing.dk/artikel/japan-soesaetter-stoerste-krigsskib-siden-anden-verdenskrig-160848 Japan launches biggest warship since WW2]" (in Danish). Ingeniøren, 12 August 2013. Accessed: 12 August 2013. If Izumo-class ships were to operate fixed-wing aircraft, they would be limited to STOVL (short take-off, vertical landing) aircraft. Japan has purchased the conventional version of the Lightning II (the F-35A) but may buy the STOVL version (the F-35B) which could be operated from a modified Izumo-class ship.[http://jsw.newpacificinstitute.org/?p=11000 Does the Izumo Represent Japan Crossing the "Offensive" Rubicon?] Newpacificinstitute.com, 13 August 2013. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922145121/http://jsw.newpacificinstitute.org/?p=11000 |date=22 September 2017 }} In December 2018, it was announced that the Japanese government would change its defense guidelines and purchase 42 F-35B fighters to operate them from both Izumo and her sister ship {{ship|JS|Kaga||2}}.{{cite web |last1=Yeo |first1=Mike |date=1 April 2019 |title=Asia allies take major steps forward with F-35 rollout |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2019/04/01/asia-allies-take-major-steps-forward-with-f-35-rollout/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240122130849/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2019/04/01/asia-allies-take-major-steps-forward-with-f-35-rollout/ |archive-date=22 January 2024 |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=Defense News}}{{Cite web |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |date=1 April 2019 |title=Japan Air Self Defense Force Stands Up First F-35A Lightning II Fighter Squadron |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/japan-air-self-defense-force-stands-up-first-f-35a-lightning-ii-fighter-squadron/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405164650/https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/japan-air-self-defense-force-stands-up-first-f-35a-lightning-ii-fighter-squadron/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |website=The Diplomat}}
=Air defense=
The ship is equipped with two Phalanx CIWS and two SeaRAM for her defense.
Operational history
Commissioned at Yokosuka port in Japan in March 2015, Izumo became operational in time to take part in a major August 2015 disaster drill conducted in Tokyo, alongside the Japan Coast Guard's large patrol vessel Izu. The two vessels acted as casualty receiving and triage stations during the exercise.{{Cite web |url=http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002394804 |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 September 2015 |archive-date=8 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908055219/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002394804 |url-status=dead }}
In May 2017 Izumo was deployed to escort {{USNS|Richard E. Byrd|T-AKE-4|6}}, a US supply vessel, to the area off Shikoku. Richard E. Byrd{{'}}s mission was to refuel another US warship that was defending against North Korean missiles. This was the first time a Japanese vessel was deployed to escort a US ship since security legislation was enacted in March 2016. A small protest took place at Yokosuka after Izumo{{'}}s departure, under the belief that the deployment of an aircraft carrier was a violation of Japan's defense-only policy.{{cite news |author= |title=Japan helicopter carrier conducts operation to protect US ships |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Japan-helicopter-carrier-conducts-operation-to-protect-US-ships |work=Nikkei |date=1 May 2017 |access-date=17 May 2017 }}{{cite news |last=Hlvac |first=Tyler |date=1 May 2017 |title=Japanese helicopter destroyer to escort Navy ship on supply mission |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/japanese-helicopter-destroyer-to-escort-navy-ship-on-supply-mission-1.466235#.WRxFw1KB21s |work=Stars and Stripes |access-date=17 May 2017 }} The destroyer {{JS|Sazanami|DD-113|2}} also joined the mission.{{cite news |author= |title=SDF completes 1st US warship escort mission |url=http://manila-shimbun.ph/japan_news/sdf-completes-1st-us-warship-escort-mission.html |work=Jiji press |date=4 May 2017 |access-date=18 May 2017 }}
In 2020, Izumo began the conversion to operate F-35B fighter aircraft.{{Cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Kosuke|title=Japan begins refitting first of two Izumo-class carriers to support F-35B operations|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-begins-refitting-first-of-two-izumo-class-carriers-to-support-f-35b-operations|access-date=16 April 2021|website=Jane's Information Group|language=en}} Conversion works were to proceed in two stages, with the first to strengthen the heat resistance of the deck and install power supply equipment to enable the departure and arrival of the F-35B. The renovation work to change the bow shape to a quadrangle for the safe operation of the F-35B and the maintenance of the interior compartments are scheduled to be carried out in the second stage, starting from the end of 2024. No plans exist to install a catapult or a sloping runway.{{Cite web|title=護衛艦「かが」、「いずも」に続き空母へ F35B搭載の改修費231億円要求――スキージャンプ設置せず（高橋浩祐） - Yahoo!ニュース|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/takahashikosuke/20200930-00200844/|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Yahoo!ニュース 個人|language=ja}}
In September 2021, Izumo joined the British aircraft carrier {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} and other vessels for exercises in the Pacific.{{cite news |last1=Cotterill |first1=Tom |title=Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth woos the Japanese as she joins major military drill in the Pacific |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/royal-navy-flagship-hms-queen-elizabeth-woos-the-japanese-as-she-joins-major-military-drill-in-the-pacific-3379540 |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=The News, Portsmouth |date=10 September 2021}} In early October of that year, United States Marine Corps F-35B fighters operated off Izumo for the first time.{{cite news |last1=Mahadzir |first1=Dzirhan |title=Japan's Largest Warship Launches U.S. Marine F-35s; First Fighters to Fly from Japanese Ship Since WWII |url=https://news.usni.org/2021/10/05/video-japans-largest-warship-launches-u-s-marine-f-35s-first-fighters-to-fly-from-japanese-ship-since-wwii |access-date=6 October 2021 |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=5 October 2021}}
On 31 May 2022, the JMSDF announced that Izumo, {{JS|Takanami}} and {{JS|Kirisame}} will be deployed to RIMPAC 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/japan-sending-its-largest-naval-vessel-to-rimpac/|title=Japan sending its largest naval vessel to RIMPAC|first=Yoshihiro|last=Inaba|website=Navalnews.com|date=1 June 2022|access-date=4 June 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|JS Izumo (DDH-183)}}
{{Izumo-class helicopter destroyers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Izumo (DDH-183)}}