Japan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Biscuits said:

More likely, it mirrors the Japanese. With the 055s taking the same role as Maya class DDGs while 052Ds take the role of Asahi class.

Both fleets are primarily defensive navies with some focus on anti submarine needs. Lengthened 052s can carry more helicopters for asw than normal frigates of that size. They also have very powerful radars that can help plug the gap of the 055s which are main line area defense destroyers.

Obviously the PLAN is overall larger, more capable, has proper naval aviation capability, and far more LHDs even. But the core idea of having a large and small DDG is quite reminiscent of the IJN.

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I think it's more about the PLAN requirements

We can see China has settled on a 4-tier Surface Navy below

Type-056 Corvette (1600 tons) - 72 ships
Type-054 Frigate (4000 tons) - 50+ ships
Type-052 Destroyer (7500 tons) - 45+ ships
Type-055 Large Destroyer (13000 tons) - 16+ships

So you have 4 levels of warship platform from smallest to largest, which is also reflected in the cost of each ship. At the same time, the production numbers means that bugs can be identified in the initial ships, with the following ships being a mature design that can be mass-produced at low-cost.

Then it's a case of looking at the requirements matrix and deciding what is the most appropriate platform to use and how many of them to produce.

Biscuits said:

The 054 concept is kinda similar to the US LCS concept except China did it first and as such had the time to adjust and get better results with the program. Dubious small ships that work best in ASW and for patrolling during peacetime...

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The LCS concept was an aberration, and was kindof supposed to replace the OH Perry Frigates.

And the Type-054 shares many similarities to the OH Perry Frigates because they have a similar mission.

Bellum_Romanum said:

What are those dildo looking thing on those ships? Are they antennas? Or radars? Sorry for the ignorant question.

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Watch the video for a more in-depth look of the integrated radar/ anatenna system.

SamuraiBlue said:

Watch the video for a more in-depth look of the integrated radar/ anatenna system.

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Thank you for a more objective reply.

Kaga's modification continues. This refit seems even more extensive than I'd expected. They're not just gonna replace the foredeck but cutting off the whole bow/prow for it, too. It must be a heavy deck, or a weak bow, to have to go to this extent -


The shafts are also being worked on.

Cyber security exercise, on a Lenovo Legion laptop...

Here is an interesting technology being developed by a Japanese start-upper;
A Jet/rocket combined engine system.

Basically it works both as a air breathing jet engine AND a pulse detonation rocket engine.
Aimed to be completed by 2029.

SamuraiBlue said:

Here is an interesting technology being developed by a Japanese start-upper;
A Jet/rocket combined engine system.

Basically it works both as a air breathing jet engine AND a pulse detonation rocket engine.
Aimed to be completed by 2029.

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Yea, no.

Doubt it can reach completion by 2029.

Michaelsinodef said:

Yea, no.

Doubt it can reach completion by 2029.

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We will know soon enough since they are building a drone powered by this engine to be test flown in 2024.

zhangjim said:

I really can't imagine. Does this modification really make sense?It is estimated that this aircraft carrier can only carry 8 F-35B.
The political significance of this modified aircraft carrier is greater than its military value.

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I didn't see this get answered.

It is expected to be a bit like a forward operating base in the Ryukyus in the event that Naha is knocked out.

The JMSDF has desired this sort of limited aviation capability for a long time. There were proposals for purchasing Harriers or AV-8s in the 80s and 90s, and before that plans were drawn up for what was essentially an Essex-style CVS.

Originally these were intended to aid in defence against Soviet bombers attacking Japanese shipping with ASMs. The reasoning behind this desire today may come from studies of the performance of Harriers during the Falklands War. The JSDF's doctrine revolves around a Diaoyu/Senkaku contingency, and likely draws on lessons from the Falklands.

But I don't think the F-35/Izumo combination is intended as some sort of major upgrade to the JMSDF's ability to fight a conventional naval conflict, as much as it is just augmenting the Ryukyu's air defence in the event Naha is neutralized. With 16x F-35B aboard the two Izumos and another 24 distributed throughout public airports and ad hoc airfields on the various islands, they would basically form a quick replacement for the 40 some F-15s currently at Naha. This would basically align with what the government and JSDF higher ups have been saying since the upgrade was announced.

Biscuits said:

Similar-ish considerations, you could also say its the other way around if that sounds better.

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Different considerations. Japanese naval doctrine is focused on attacking Russian subs in the Sea of Okhotsk as a pawn in WW3 to lighten the load for its master. They assume air superiority thanks to its master's carrier fleet and thus can afford a large MPA fleet and dedicated ASW ships. Their anti air then only needs to focus on intercepting stray naval aviation, mostly bombers, and long range cruise missiles.

PLAN strategy is totally different, because it focused on anti surface and anti air to defeat adversary carrier groups. Air superiority cannot be assumed. Adversaries can use agile tactical aviation launched from carriers. MPAs can't be assumed to have the opportunity to even patrol.