Japanese Self Defence Naval Force: 2 Helicopter Destroyers: JDS Haruna, JDS Hiei (1973-2011) The Haruna-class destroyer were arguably the biggest expansion step ever taken by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in capabilities to this point. Not only these were the first Japanese helicopter-carrying destroyers (DDH), operating three helicopters, but also the largest Japanese warships … Read more
Japanese Self Defence Naval Force – ASW destroyers: たかつき Takatsuki, きくづき Kikuzuki, もちづき Mochizuki, ながつき Nagatsuki (DD164 to DD167) The Takatsuki-class destroyer were four destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force built between 1964 and 1970 as anti-submarine warfare specialists. Designed to operate the DASH ASW drone system it was soon removed in 1977. Instead, … Read more
Japanese Self Defence Naval Force – Escort Destroyer (1966-2005): Yamagumo, Makigumo, Asagumo, Aokumo, Akigumo, Yugumo The Yamagumo class were developed for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force as six ship usually classified as a destroyer, but classed as destroyer escort given their nature, succeeding to the Akizuki class. They were planned as the new generation ASW … Read more
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: ASW destroyer (1959-93): JDS Akizuki, Teruzuki. Here on naval encyclopedia, were are intended to cover all three Akizuki class destroyer (so far) in Japanese Naval History. The first was the well known “Type B” large AA destroyers of the Pacific war seen earlier this same months. The third are a 2010 … Read more
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: ASW destroyer (1958-88): JDS Murasame, Yudachi, Harusame The Murasame (there was a class of the same name in the 1990s) were the successor to the Ayanami-class destroyers. They were less specialized in anti-submarine warfare, but more A/AS because of their heavy artillery, and thus they were the first classified unofficially as … Read more
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: ASW destroyer (1957-90): JDS Ayanami, Isonami, Uranami, Shikinami, Takanami, Oonami, Makinami The Ayanami class were follow-up of the Harukaze, the first class of large warship designed and built in Japan in 1956-60 under the new JMSDF, for ASW warfare. These were unofficially designated DDKs, considered as escort destroyers, but had the … Read more
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: ASW destroyer (1956-85): JDS Harukaze, JDS Yukikaze The first Japanese-built destroyers of the MSDF, laid down at Mitsubishi Zosen in Nagasaki for Harukaze and Shin Mistubishi HI Kobe for Yukikaze. They were designed and tailored for anti-submarine warfare. The majority of equipment, sensors and armamenr were from the US according to … Read more
