kwaigonegin
Colonel
huh? what do you mean? the JMSDF certainly have their own COC. I think you were meaning changing their constitution to allow for an active military that can be deployed offensively?
huh? what do you mean? the JMSDF certainly have their own COC. I think you were meaning changing their constitution to allow for an active military that can be deployed offensively?
In addition, we know the 2nd Izumo class CVH will be launched late next year, and that the 1st one will be commissioned either late this year or early next year as well.
Wikipedia lists the commissioning for Izumo as march 2015. Considering the ship was only launched last august, I think a year and a half of fitting out + sea trials before commissioning is very optimistic as it is.
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I'm most interested to know when the two new aegis ships are supposed come into play, mostly to see how strongly the JMSDF will be able to delay the PLAN's massive influx of its own APAR equipped DDGs in coming years.
Yea, March 2015 is pretty close to early next year. Not too far off there. Seeing that they have experience now with the two Hyugas and that this vessel is a little bigger, but with very similar systems, I believe they will meet that type of time frame.
I believe we will see the 2nd vessel launched by the end of 2015 or early 2016.
They will then have four such large, flat deck vessels. But really, the last two will be the only ones with any chance at all for STOTL fighter operations, and then only if they were to purchase F-35Bs, which they have not planned or budgeted for at all as of yet.
Now, V-22 operations may be another thing.
As to the next two Atago DDGs, my understanding is that the funding will be for 2015 and 2016 respectively for the two ships, which means they will start building in 2016 and 2017, launch in 2018 and 2019 and be commissioned in 2019 and 2020.
This will give Japan eight AEGIS class destroyers of 9,000 and 10,000 tons.
JMSDF are prepared to defend their territorial waters with their latest Japanese AIP submarines, and their naval ships inc. helo-destroyers (carriers) and modern aircraft. Kawasaki, Mitsubishi etc. are long established shipyards since WW II. The JMSDF have also acquired high-tech weapon systems from their ally the US, as well as developed their own. Those who know including potential adversaries will have to knowledge that the maritime "Samurais" are presently the best in Asia, with a long naval tradition and experience.
Nice picture of a Japanese Maritime Self Defense (JMSDF) Force Task Force with one of the Hyuga class carriers.
That's an Atago class AEGIS DDG in front of the carrier, and one of their new, advanced AIP Soryu Class submarines out front. I can see another mast behind the carrier, but do not know what ship that is.
That's an Atago class AEGIS DDG in front of the carrier, and one of their new, advanced AIP Soryu Class submarines out front. I can see another mast behind the carrier, but do not know what ship that is.
Skywatcher
Captain
Could that be a Kongo behind the Hyuga?
Could be.
Actually, when I zoom in on it, there are two masts back there, so two more ships behind the carrier.
One could be a Kongo, but they will certainly be some combination of Kongo, Takanami or Murasami class DDGs.