Japan unveils largest warship since World War II

[visom]

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest warship since World War II, a huge flat-top destroyer that has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier.

The ship, which has a flight deck that is nearly 250 meters (820 feet) long, is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters. Japanese officials say it will be used in national defense — particularly in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions — and to bolster the nation's ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters, like the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Though the ship — dubbed "Izumo" — has been in the works since 2009, its unveiling comes as Japan and China are locked in a dispute over several small islands located between southern Japan and Taiwan. For months, ships from both countries have been conducting patrols around the isles, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China.

The tensions over the islands, along with China's heavy spending on defense and military modernization, have heightened calls in Japan for beefed-up naval and air forces. China recently began operating an aircraft carrier that it refurbished after purchasing from Russia, and is reportedly moving forward with the construction of another that is domestically built.

Japan, China and Taiwan all claim the islands.

Though technically a destroyer, some experts believe the new Japanese ship could potentially be used in the future to launch fighter jets or other aircraft that have the ability to take off vertically. That would be a departure for Japan, which has one of the best equipped and best trained naval forces in the Pacific but which has not sought to build aircraft carriers of its own because of constitutional restrictions that limit its military forces to a defensive role.

Japan says it has no plans to use the ship in that manner.

The Izumo does not have catapults for launching fighters, nor does it have a "ski-jump" ramp on its flight deck for fixed-wing aircraft launches.

 

[Tractor]

A warship surrounded by peace loving people,not bad.

 

[SwatCat]

Impressive !

Japanese Naval forces are a strong force. Japanese are know for innovativeness and innovative war doctrines.

 

[Jazzbot]

More pics from different angles would be highly appreciated

 

[GR!FF!N]

I think Japan has 4 (may be it is 5 including the new one)helicopter destroyers...whats so alarming about it??Japan has these for years..and its well known that once they get F-35,they'll operate those form these ships..but real news will be then when they'll again start operating their Aircraft Carriers..they showed the real power of Aircraft Carrier to the world..hats off to them...
@Jazzbot

Japan warship 'Izumo' is not aircraft carrier but 'flat-topped destroyer' | Mail Online

 

[Enemy]

More pics from different angles would be highly appreciated

top view

 

[visom]

A warship surrounded by peace loving people,not bad.

Didnt know north korea is peace loving

 

[Iggy]

top view

Cool, they are now calling aircraft carriers as destroyers?

 

[cnleio]

0.2billion ppl living in one small islands, now they start to build big 'flat-topped destroyer'. 1st step is 20,000ton, then is 40,000ton ... later maybe 100,000ton. Well they just changed the rule like it from last WWI to WWII.

Nice 'flat-topped destroyer', welcome to Asia Aircraft Carrier Competition. If F-35B could land on the deck it will be a real Japan Aircraft Carrier.

 

[gambit]

A warship surrounded by peace loving people,not bad.

Are you speaking of China's aircraft carrier?

 

[flamer84]

"flat top destroyer" ...their next 40.000 ton AC will be called "tuna fishing boat"

 

[Splurgenxs]

WHats this? this is not a destroyer
and from the looks of it not ur standard AC either ,i recon this to bea a muti purpose lunching pad of sorts for many different combat systems l adaptable to different situations..

This one looks very functional and massive.Can anyone notice any flaps for missile launchers? any specs on this.?

 

[shuttler]

the japanese is going to adopt the imperial flag as official

the japanese unveils the ship on the same anniversary day as the bomb dropped in japan

the name of the ship ”Izumo 出云“ is taken from a WW2 sunken japanese cruiser

Japanese cruiser Izumo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Simpleton cheerleaders have reasons to hail for!

Are you speaking of China's aircraft carrier?

get the hell out of here troll!

 

[visom]

WHats this? this is not a destroyer
and from the looks of it not ur standard AC either ,i recon this to bea a muti purpose lunching pad of sorts for many different combat systems l adaptable to different situations..

This one looks very functional and massive.Can anyone notice any flaps for missile launchers? any specs on this.?

It has the proper framework to be an aircraft carrier. During times of war it could be refitted with a cqtapult and other necessary ac components.
@shuttler
You sound very angry. China has to right to build its navy, so does its neighboring country. You got you new carrier, japan gets to have a large warship and vietnam with its new submarines.

 

[Alpha1]

It would be awesome to see vtol F-35 s on that!