Think Tank: Japan is an aircraft-carrier power

[Lankan Ranger]

Think Tank: Japan is an aircraft-carrier power

Japan has been formally classified for the first time since World War II as an aircraft-carrier power by a leading Western international affairs think tank.

Japan has one Hyuga-class aircraft carrier, according to Military Balance 2011, an annual report published on Tuesday by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assessing the military capabilities and defense economics of 170 countries worldwide.

The annual report is an essential resource for those involved in security policymaking, analysis and research.

Classifying Japan as an aircraft carrier power means China now has four Asian neighbors with the giant vessel. Russia, India and Thailand are reported to have one aircraft carrier in service.

Former Japanese foreign minister Seiji Maehara, shortly before he resigned for accepting an illegal donation, expressed Japan’s “grave concern” over China’s military development and alleged plan to build an aircraft carrier.

Gary Li, an expert on Asia military affairs at the IISS and the chief researcher of the East Asia section of Military Balance 2011, said Japan currently had one Hyuga and another is under construction.

“The Hyuga is not yet as powerful as the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) would like it to be, mainly because there are no F-35s (fighter jets) as yet,” Li said.

“Once Japan acquires F-35s or another suitable short take-off aircraft for the Hyuga class, it will have a greatly increased expeditionary capability, and can operate in conjunction with the US more and more in regional security operations.”

Li said the JMSDF is “very powerful” in terms of capabilities. “Its assets are arguably the second best after the US. The ships are modern, powerful, and with a wide range of services. However they suffer from the same problems as the Chinese navy in that it lacks expeditionary capabilities and also the crew lack real battle experience.”

Despite Japan’s concern over China’s military development, Christian Le Miere, research fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security at the IISS, said Japanese naval power is superior to China’s.

He said Beijing’s “main strategy” is still to “deter or prevent US intervention into Taiwan contingency for as long as possible”.

In fact, long before the IISS classified only one Hyuga-class vessel as an aircraft carrier, earlier reports said Japan launched the second of the vessels, the Ise, as early as 2009.

The 197-meter long, 13,950-ton vessel can carry up to 11 helicopters.

Think Tank: Japan is an aircraft-carrier power

 

[casual]

no, not really. nothing against japan but that's not a AC

 

[faithfulguy]

I think there is a mistake on labeling this as a AC. This is a helicopter carrier. Check out the picture.

 

[SpArK]

Hyūga class helicopter destroyer

 

[SpArK]

This ship in the same weight range of the European "Harrier carriers" (the British Invincibles, the Italian Garibaldi, the Spanish Principe de Asturias, and the Thai Chakri Narubet-classes). While this ship is currently planned to carry helicopters only, European experience (particularly from the British) has shown that this can be an effective platform for fixed-wing aircraft, like the F-35B. That makes the designation of "helicopter carrying destroyer" technically true, but in reality a useful fiction. In essence, they could act as small aircraft carriers or as a landing platform helicopter like HMS Ocean if transport helicopters are used.

Naval Air: Japan's Secret Aircraft Carriers

 

[pmukherjee]

no, not really. nothing against japan but that's not a AC

Well it has been called a Light AC, a helicopter carrier and a helicopter destroyer by different bodies. Japan calls it a helicopter destroyer. It is a 18,000 ton displacement (full load) ship with a full flight deck without ski jump ramp. This limits it to carrying helicopters and VSTOL aircraft like F-35s and Harriers. In fact with the induction of the F-35s in the near future, this class of vessels will be a formidable force in the Pacific. Maybe this is the best the Japanese can do under their present constitutionally limitations. Moves are afoot to lift/ease these limitations. If that comes about, construction of bigger, more capable carriers (even nuclear powered) will not be difficult for the Japanese. It is all in the threat that the Japanese perceive and the confidence in the ability and the continued desire of the US to support them.

 

[siegecrossbow]

With the F-35B out of the equation there is really no way for Japan to make those ships aircraft carriers, not that the Japanese are allowed to build them after WWII any ways.

 

[pmukherjee]

With the F-35B out of the equation there is really no way for Japan to make those ships aircraft carriers, not that the Japanese are allowed to build them after WWII any ways.

1. F-35s are very much in the equation.
2. Even if, F-35s are not made available, modification of the ship by adding a sky jump and steam catapults/ arresters is not that big a deal for the Japanese. That would enable F-18s to operate with heavier loads.
4. "not that the Japanese are allowed to build them after WWII" - That is why they are calling them Helicopters destroyers.

 

[siegecrossbow]

1. F-35s are very much in the equation.
2. Even if, F-35s are not made available, modification of the ship by adding a sky jump and steam catapults/ arresters is not that big a deal for the Japanese. That would enable F-18s to operate with heavier loads.
4. "not that the Japanese are allowed to build them after WWII" - That is why they are calling them Helicopters destroyers.

F-35B is the only VTOL variant of F-35 around. Assuming that you can build a miraculous catapult that could launch conventional aircrafts from the platform, how are you supposed to land them?

 

[pmukherjee]

F-35B is the only VTOL variant of F-35 around. Assuming that you can build a miraculous catapult that could launch conventional aircrafts from the platform, how are you supposed to land them?

Agreed the STOVL variety intended for the US Marines has run into some rough weather and has been placed on a two year probation for fixing the problems. F-18s or Mig 29Ks are brought to a very short halt on short flight deck by using arresting gear (cables and hooks). They will not be VTOL or STOVL then but STOBAR.