Japanese Second Izumo-Class Helicopter Carrier To Be Launched By August End

The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) second Izumo-class Helicopter Carrier DDH-184 will be named and launched by the end of this month.

The carrier was commissioned on 25 March this year at Yokosuka naval base.

Izumo is equipped with OQQ-22 bow-mounted sonar for submarine prosecution. Two Raytheon’s RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (SeaRAM) launchers and two Phalanx close-in weapon system form the air defense for the carrier.

Izumo can accommodate nine helicopters, majorly Sikorsky/Mitsubishi SH-60K Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters and countermeasure versions of Kawasaki Heavy Industries/AgustaWestland MCH-101 helicopter. The ship is primarily built for border surveillance and disaster relief missions.

The 248-meter-long and 19,500-ton helicopter carrier was unveiled in August 2013 for the first time in Yokohama.

The carrier can field American MV-22s and potentially the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), however Japan does not intend to use the JSF on the Izumo.