JS Kaga
{{Short description|Japanese aircraft (helicopter) carrier}}
{{other ships|Japanese ship Kaga}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:JS Kaga}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = JS Kaga（DDH-184）after renovation.jpg | Ship caption = JS Kaga (DDH-184) }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = Japan | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Japan|naval}} | Ship name = *Kaga
| Ship namesake = Kaga Province | Ship ordered = 2010 | Ship awarded = | Ship builder = | Ship original cost = US$1.05 billion | Ship laid down = 7 October 2013 | Ship launched = 27 August 2015 | Ship sponsor = | Ship christened = | Ship completed = | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 22 March 2017 | 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-184
| Ship motto = | Ship nickname = | Ship honors = | Ship captured = | Ship fate = | Ship status = | Ship notes = | Ship badge = 150px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass|Izumo|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft carrier | Ship displacement = *{{convert|19,500|LT|t|abbr=on}} empty;
| Ship length = {{convert|248|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|38|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draft = {{convert|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *COGAG, two shafts | Ship speed = more than {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship boats = | Ship troops = | Ship complement = | 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 Kaga (DDH-184) is a helicopter carrier of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).{{Cite web |title=Another Japanese warship is on its way to carrying F-35B stealth fighters |first1=Hana |last1=Kusumoto |first2=Alex |last2=Wilson |date=10 April 2024 |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-04-10/japanese-carrier-kaga-f35b-13521075.html |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Stars and Stripes |language=en}} She is currently undergoing conversion into a light aircraft carrier, which is scheduled to be complete around fiscal year 2027.{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Kosuke |date=2024-04-08 |title=Japan completes first stage of JS Kaga modification to operate F-35B |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/04/japan-completes-first-stage-of-js-kaga-modification-to-operate-f-35b/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}} Officially classified as a multi-purpose operation destroyer, she is the second ship in the {{sclass|Izumo|aircraft carrier|4}}, the other being {{ship|JS|Izumo}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASH8W5WN6H8WUTIL02W.html|title=海自のヘリコプター搭載護衛艦、「かが」と命名|date=August 27, 2015|website=Asahi Shimbun|language=ja|access-date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307212626/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASH8W5WN6H8WUTIL02W.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20150828k0000m040110000c.html|title=新護衛艦「かが」：旧日本海軍の空母「加賀」 その違いは|date=August 27, 2015|website=Mainichi Shimbun|language=ja|access-date=August 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829182041/http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20150828k0000m040110000c.html|archive-date=August 29, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://news.usni.org/2015/08/27/japan-launches-second-helicopter-carrier |title=Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier |first=Sam |last=LaGrone |date=27 August 2015 |work=USNI News |publisher=United States Naval Institute}} Her namesake arises from {{nihongo|Kaga Province|加賀国|Kaga no kuni}} in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.
The modern-day Kaga shares its name with a WWII-era aircraft carrier when transcribed into English, but unlike her WWII-era predecessor, whose name was written in kanji (加賀), the new Kaga is written in hiragana (かが).{{Cite web |title=引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式｜海上自衛隊 〔JMSDF〕 オフィシャルサイト |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/operation/hikiwatashi/h28/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.mod.go.jp}} She is also slightly longer than her World War II predecessor. Kaga and Izumo are the first aircraft carriers built by Japan since the end of World War II. Kaga was built as part of a wider Japanese military buildup, triggered by heightened Sino-Japanese tensions regarding the contested ownership of the Senkaku Islands.
{{As of|2024}}, the Kaga is being upgraded into a fixed-wing carrier, capable of operating VTOL aircraft such as the F-35B.
Construction
{{expand section|date=August 2015}}
Kaga was intended to replace the aging {{sclass|Shirane|destroyer}} {{ship|JDS|Kurama||2}}, based on the schedule outlined within the 23 Mid-term Defence Capability Maintenance Plan to construct a 19,500-ton helicopter destroyer. Construction began at the Yokohama plant of Japan Marine United on 7 October 2013, and the ship was launched on 27 August 2015, with the commissioning on 22 March 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.sankei.com/politics/news/150827/plt1508270027-n1.html|title=海自最大の護衛艦「かが」進水 ヘリ９機を同時運用|date=August 27, 2015|website=Sankei Shimbun|language=ja}} Construction of the ship before the aircraft carrier conversion cost {{JPYConvert|115000000000|USD|lk=|year=|ref=}}.{{Cite web |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |title=Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Commissions Second Helicopter Carrier |date=23 March 2017 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/03/japan-maritime-self-defense-force-commissions-second-helicopter-carrier/ |access-date=2021-04-24 |work=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}[https://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/2012/yosan.pdf 平成24年度予算の概要] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113153209/http://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/2012/yosan.pdf |date=2012-11-13 }} 防衛省、2頁
Characteristics
The ship can host up to twenty-eight aircraft,{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} or 14 helicopters.{{cite web |last1=Hardy |first1=James |url=http://www.janes.com/article/50196/japan-commissions-helicopter-carrier-izumo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327043844/http://www.janes.com/article/50196/japan-commissions-helicopter-carrier-izumo |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2015 |title=Japan commissions helicopter carrier Izumo |website=janes.com |date=25 March 2015 |accessdate=20 May 2015}} Japanese nomenclature called Kaga a "multi-purpose operation destroyer" and its main purpose in the past was destroying enemy submarines.{{Cite magazine |last=Zennie |first=Michael |title=President Trump Visited Japan's Biggest Warship Since World World II. Here's What to Know About the JS Kaga |date=28 May 2019 |url=https://time.com/5597046/japanese-aircraft-carrier-kaga-izumo/ |magazine=Time}} Despite this, only 7 anti-submarine warfare helicopters and 2 search and rescue helicopters were planned for the initial aircraft complement. 400 troops and 50 3.5-ton trucks (or equivalent equipment) can also be carried.
Kaga{{'}}s flight deck has five helicopter landing spots that allow for simultaneous landings or take-offs. Like the Izumo, Kaga features no ski-jump ramp for aircraft takeoff, instead using a long flat flight deck, in a similar manner to the US {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|0}} and {{sclass|America|amphibious assault ship}}s.{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Kosuke |title=Japan's converted Izumo-class carriers will not feature a 'ski-jump' ramp for F-35B operations |date=8 October 2020 |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/japans-converted-izumo-class-carriers-will-not-feature-a-ski-jump-ramp-for-f-35b-operations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227024358/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japans-converted-izumo-class-carriers-will-not-feature-a-ski-jump-ramp-for-f-35b-operations |archive-date=2021-02-27 |website=Janes}}
=Modifications=
In 2010, Forecast International reported that it looked like some original 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}} as of 2019, both Kaga and Izumo are scheduled to be refit to accommodate the F-35B STOVL variant during their sequential overhauls, which will take five-years, starting in 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/08/usmc-to-first-fly-f-35b-from-japans-izumo-class-aircraft-carriers |title=USMC to Fly First F-35B from Japan's Izumo-class Aircraft Carriers |first=Xavier |last=Vavasseur |work=NavalNews.com |date=21 August 2019 |accessdate=28 October 2019}} Kaga{{'}}s reconstruction was speculated to begin as early as 2021.{{Cite web|title=Japan, US get major military exercise going amid growing Chinese activity|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2020/10/26/japan-us-get-major-military-exercise-going-amid-growing-chinese-activity/|website=Free Malaysia Today|date=26 October 2020 }}
Kaga began her initial modifications in March 2022 at the Japan Marine United (JMU) shipyard in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The proposed modification of Kaga will be more extensive than for her sister ship (and significantly more expensive) and includes changes to the shape of the bow. The initial modification of Kaga was completed in early 2024 and is to be followed by a second modification to the ship's interior, which is expected to begin in late 2026 and be completed by the end of Fiscal Year 2027.{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/04/japan-completes-first-stage-of-js-kaga-modification-to-operate-f-35b/ |title=Japan Completes First Stage Of JS Kaga Modification To Operate F-35B |work=Naval News |last=Takahashi |first=Kosuke |date=8 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/04/japan-starts-conversion-work-on-second-izumo-class-ddh/ |title=Japan Starts Conversion Work on Second Izumo-class DDH |first=Yoshihiro |last=Inaba |work=NavalNews.com |date=18 April 2022}}
=Aircraft carried=
In 2019, it was reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a {{JPYConvert|26200000000000|USD|lk=|year=|ref=}} five-year defense budget, which included the upgrade of Izumo and Kaga and the purchase of a combined 147 F-35A and F-35B stealth fighters.{{Cite web|title=Japan orders more F-35s for its upgraded carriers|url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/2d83993f4f85e7c90ae7fbd48c50afd5/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2028820|website=World Aviation & Defence News}}
According to the newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is planning to acquire a total of 42 F-35B variants: introducing 18 by FY2023, six in FY2024 and two in FY2025. This first batch are to be formed into a single squadron consisting of about 20 aircraft. Japan's Defense Minister, Nobuo Kishi, announced that Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu will host the F-35Bs. The base is located near the Southwest Islands, including Okinawa, and JMSDF's Kure Base in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is Kaga's home port.{{Cite web|last=Inaba|first=Yoshihiro|date=2021-07-20|title=Japan's Izumo Helicopter Destroyer Modified To Operate F-35B Fighters|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/japans-izumo-helicopter-destroyer-modified-to-operate-f-35b-fighters/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Naval News|language=en-US}}
= Size =
Kaga is {{convert|814|ft|m}} long and displaces 27,000 tons, making her the largest ship in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. She is in the category of light carriers, such as Italy's Cavour, and sized similar to many nations' dedicated amphibious ships. She is considerably smaller than 'super' aircraft carriers – the {{USS|George H.W. Bush}}, for instance, is {{convert|1,092|ft|m}} long and over 100,000 tons.
=Air defense=
The ship is equipped with two Phalanx CIWS (close-in weapon systems) and two SeaRAM CIWS for her defense.{{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 |accessdate=18 September 2011}}
History
File:PaxITF F35B JSKaga Wiedmann.jpg
Kaga toured the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean during the Indo Southeast Asia Deployment (ISEAD) exercise in 2018 to bolster Japan's presence in geostrategic waters, eventually sailing to the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka.{{cite web |title=Indo Southeast Asia Deployment 2018 (ISEAD18) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/operation/operation2018.html |publisher=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |access-date=November 14, 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-defence-southchinasea-exclusive/exclusive-japanese-helicopter-carrier-to-tour-south-china-sea-indian-ocean-for-two-months-idUSKBN1JU0CJ |publisher=Reuters |date=July 4, 2018 |quote=Japan will send a large helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean for a second straight year as it looks to bolster its presence in the strategic maritime region with annual tours, two Japanese officials said. |title=Exclusive: Japanese helicopter carrier to tour South China Sea, Indian Ocean for two months |first1=Nobuhiro |last1=Kubo |first2=Tim |last2=Kelly |editor-first=Robert |editor-last=Birsel}}
During a state visit to Japan in May 2019, Donald Trump visited Kaga in Yokosuka. During his visit, Trump made a speech in which he claimed that many of the United States's allies were taking advantage of its high defense budget by not spending enough on their militaries. Trump congratulated Japan for "...being a good ally and buying American..." and wished them success in the coming Reiwa Era.
Between October and November 2024, Kaga conducted F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter developmental tests off the coast of California in preparation for the arrival of Japan's own F-35Bs.{{cite news |last1=Mahadzir |first1=Dzirhan |title=Japan’s Largest Warship Headed to California for F-35B Testing |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/09/10/japans-largest-warship-headed-to-california-for-f-35b-testing |access-date=15 November 2024 |publisher=USNI News |date=10 September 2024}} The F-35Bs were from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 of the United States Navy, and the pilots were from the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF). On 7 November 2024, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force announced that the trials had been completed already.{{cite news |last1=Mahadzir |first1=Dzirhan |title=Japanese Big Deck JS Kaga Wraps California F-35B Trials |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/11/08/japanese-big-deck-js-kaga-wraps-california-f-35b-trials |access-date=15 November 2024 |publisher=USNI News |date=8 November 2024}}
In popular culture
Kaga's mascot is the personification of her World War II-era predecessor in Kantai Collection, where she is one of the most popular characters of the franchise. It began when Kadokawa Games shared official art on Twitter, depicting 1928 Kaga's Kantai Collection counterpart holding a scale model of the new Kaga the day after she was launched.{{Cite tweet |author=Kantai Collection |author-link=Kantai Collection |user=KanColle_STAFF |number=637105083847540737 |date=August 27, 2015|title=「加賀」さんのデザインを担当したしばふさんより、昨日進水した護衛艦「かが」、進水記念緊急描きおろしが到着しました！... |trans-title=Shibafu-san, who was in charge of the design of Kaga, has arrived with an emergency drawing commemorating the launch of the destroyer Kaga that was launched yesterday!... |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2023}} It then continued when Kaga participated in the Indo Southeast Asia Deployment (ISEAD) exercise in 2018. Upon her return to Kure, Kantai Collection provided new art of their personification of Kaga wearing the new ship's insignia, with her rigging updated to match that of the new ship and featuring helicopters instead of World War II aircraft.{{Cite tweet |author=Kantai Collection |author-link=Kantai Collection |user=KanColle_STAFF |number=1064337807265558529 |date=November 18, 2018|title=海上自衛隊 護衛艦「かが」のご依頼により、「加賀」さん【かが】modeをお贈りしました... |trans-title=At the request of the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga, we have sent Kaga mode... |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2023}}
Kaga is also featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World as part of the Japanese fleet contesting Celestial Island. She was the target of a brainwashed US Navy pilot's kamikaze run when his F/A-18 runs out of missiles, and is saved by the titular Captain America, Sam Wilson.
Gallery
File:JS_Kaga(DDH-184)_right_front_view_at_Port_of_Kanazawa_July_15,_2017.jpg|JS Kaga right front view at Port of Kanazawa (15 July 2017)
File:JS Kaga(DDH-184) behind view at Port of Kanazawa July 15, 2017.jpg|Kaga stern view, July 2017
File:INS Chennai (D65) with JMSDF JS Kaga.jpg|JS Kaga with {{INS|Chennai|D65|6}} during JIMEX 2020 exercise.
File:Renovated JS Kaga 1.jpg|Kaga viewed from above after being modified to operate fixed wing aircraft
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|JS Kaga (DDH-184)}}
- {{cite news|last1=Slavin|first1=Erik|title=Japan launches flat-top destroyer Kaga, strengthening its fleet|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/japan-launches-flat-top-destroyer-kaga-strengthening-its-fleet-1.365090|accessdate=August 28, 2015|work=Stars and Stripes|date=August 28, 2015}}
{{Izumo-class helicopter destroyers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaga}}