The recent events near the Senkaku Islands (a disputed territory between the PRC and Japan) have clearly demonstrated to the Japanese society the need to further strengthen the country's defenses - China, which has awakened after centuries of sleep, is increasingly showing its ambitions. Instability in the Asia-Pacific region poses a threat to all neighboring states, including Russia. As an interesting topic, I propose to consider the Japanese Naval Self-Defense Forces - the Japanese fleet is rarely covered in the Russian media, despite the fact that it is, perhaps, the second most important navy in the world.
Despite the intimidating potential of the Chinese Navy, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force looks much more attractive. The PRC creates the illusion of a strong fleet: the only aircraft carrier Shi Lan (formerly Varyag) is not a full-fledged combat unit and is used as a test and training ship, and the DF-21 ballistic anti-ship missiles, despite loud statements, are still rather a dream than a realistic weapon; the combat capabilities of this anti-ship system are questionable.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces do not have any large-scale and scandalous combat systems, such as the Soviet-Chinese aircraft carrier or "ballistic anti-ship missiles." But, unlike the Chinese Navy, the Japanese fleet is a well-thought-out combat system: a balanced ship composition, the latest technologies and ancient samurai traditions, numerous bases and all the necessary infrastructure: educational institutions, hospitals, research centers among which, for example, a laboratory underwater medicine stationed at a naval base with the dissonant name of Yokosuka.
The combat core of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces are 9 modern destroyers with the Aegis system, and two unusual "destroyers" are included in this class only formally: "Hyuga" and "Ise" in all respects correspond to light aircraft carriers.
Despite the confusing and contradictory classification of ships, the main vectors of development of the Japanese fleet are clearly visible: exotic "destroyer-helicopter carriers", URO destroyers (these include ships with long-range anti-aircraft missile systems capable of providing the squadron's zonal air defense) and conventional destroyers oriented for the solution of anti-submarine, anti-ship, escort tasks, as well as for fire support and special operations. Often, the official classification does not correspond to reality: for example, a more modern "conventional" destroyer can significantly surpass the destroyer URO of the previous generation in terms of air defense capabilities. And most of the destroyers built in the 80s correspond in size and capabilities to a modest frigate. However, let's go directly to the list of ships and consider all the nuances of the Japanese Navy with specific examples.
Destroyers - helicopter carriers
Hyuga type
There are two ships in service - "Hyuga" (2009) and "Ise" (2011)
Full displacement of 18,000 tons.
Armament: an air group of 11-15 helicopters for various purposes, 16 UVP cells Mk.41, 2 anti-aircraft self-defense "Falanx", 2 three-pipe 324 mm torpedo tubes Mk.32 ASW.
The thug with a total displacement of 18 thousand tons is bashfully classified as a "destroyer", but the Japanese have clearly gone overboard - the dimensions and appearance of the "Hyuuga" correspond to a light aircraft carrier. Many experts agree that aviation, as the main strike force, gives the Japanese helicopter destroyer increased flexibility when performing tactical missions.
First, the eternal problem with the radio horizon is partially solved - the best shipborne radar cannot be compared in terms of its surface target detection capabilities with the radar of a helicopter flying at an altitude of several hundred meters. Moreover, even 30 years ago, light anti-ship missiles (Sea Skua, Pinguin) were adopted to arm naval helicopters, which have repeatedly proved their effectiveness in local conflicts.
Secondly, a helicopter destroyer acquires completely unique qualities. A dozen anti-submarine helicopters make it possible to organize round-the-clock patrolling at a distance of tens of kilometers from the ship's board, helicopters, depending on their type, can land assault groups in the zone of military conflicts and cover them with fire, be used as vehicles for the delivery of military and humanitarian cargo. Due to its numerous air wing, "Hyuga" has great capabilities in search and rescue operations, and in the case of helicopter minesweepers on board, it can be used as a mine-sweeping ship.
For self-defense purposes, the Hyuga is equipped with an Mk.41 air defense missile system - 64 ESSM anti-aircraft missiles or 16 ASROC-VL PLURs in any proportion can be placed in 16 cells. The destroyer's armament is controlled by the BIUS OYQ-10 and the FCS-3 radar with AFAR, which are the Japanese version of the Aegis system.
Type "Shirane"
There are two ships in service.
Full displacement - 7500 tons.
Armament: 2 x 127 mm guns, 8 ASROC anti-submarine rocket torpedoes, Sea Sparrow air defense systems, 2 Falanx anti-aircraft guns, 2 Mk.32 ASW torpedo tubes, three helicopters.
The Shirane-class helicopter destroyers are the oldest ships in the combat strength of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (commissioned in 1980 and 1981). Former flagships of the Japanese fleet, predecessors of the Hyuga. At first glance, mediocre destroyers with weak weapons and an outdated air defense system, but there is one caveat: the stern of each of them is made in the form of a spacious flight deck. The Japanese have been experimenting with aircraft weapons on ships for a long time, and are obviously happy with the result.
Destroyers URO
Type "Atago"
There are two destroyers in service - "Atago" (2007) and "Ashigara" (2008)
Full displacement - 10,000 tons.
Armament: 96 cells of the Mk.41 UVP, 8 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles, 1 x 127 mm gun, 2 Falanx assault rifles, 2 Mk.32 ASW torpedo tubes, one helicopter.
"Atago" is a clone of the American destroyer "Arleigh Burke" sub-series IIa with minimal differences in design and armament. The Japanese destroyer uses the entire standard range of Mk.41 PU ammunition, with the exception of the Tamagavk cruise missiles - the destroyer's armament complex includes Standard-2 and ESSM anti-aircraft missiles, ASROC-VL PLUR and even Standard-3 missile interceptors of the ABM system.
On the upper deck of Japanese ships, unlike their modern American counterparts, 8 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles manufactured by Mitsubishi are installed. In technical terms, they are conventional subsonic anti-ship missiles: launch weight 660 kg, warhead 250 kg, cruising speed 0.9M.
Thanks to the Aegis system, both of the latest destroyers are integrated with Japan's missile defense system.
Type "Congo"
There are 4 destroyers in service (built between 1990 and 1998)
Full displacement: 9500 tons
Armament: 90 cells of the Mk.41 UVP, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 1 x 127 mm gun, 2 Falanx assault rifles, 2 Mk.32 ASW torpedo tubes.
These ships have nothing to do with Africa. Destroyers "Congo" are copies of the first generation American destroyers "Arleigh Burke". For a long time, the US Congress did not agree to the export of new technologies, which led to a delay in their construction. Like the American destroyers of Sub-series I, the Japanese destroyers of the Congo class do not have a helicopter hangar (there is only a landing pad), and three cells of the bow and stern groups of the Mk.41 launcher are occupied by a loading crane - as time has shown, loading ammunition on the open sea too complicated and time-consuming process, so an unnecessary device did not take up useful space for a long time. Already on the next versions of destroyers, the crane was abandoned, increasing the number of launchers to 96.
Type "Hatakaze"
2 destroyers of this type entered service in 1986 and 1988.
Full displacement - 5500 tons
Armament: 1 Mk.13 launcher with 40 anti-aircraft missiles ammunition, 8 ASROC PLURs, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 2 x 127 mm guns, 2 Phalanxes, 2 ASWs.
Despite their status as "URO destroyers", the old Hatakaze galoshes are practically useless in modern conditions - suffice it to say that the Standard-1MR anti-aircraft missiles they use were completely removed from service by the US Navy 10 years ago.
Their anti-submarine capabilities also leave much to be desired - there is no anti-submarine helicopter on the destroyers, and the ASROC system can hit underwater targets at a distance of no more than 9 km.
At the same time, the Hatakaze destroyers are cheap and easy to maintain.
Destroyers
Akizuki type
The lead Akizuki entered service on March 14, 2012, the remaining 3 destroyers of this type will be completed only by 2014.
Displacement: 6800 tons
Armament: 32 cells of the Mk.41 UVP, 8 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles, 1 x 127 mm gun, 2 Falanx assault rifles, 2 ASW, one helicopter.
Another representative of the Aegis destroyer family. Purely Japanese development based on Western technologies. Designed to defend naval groupings from low-flying anti-ship missiles. The main armament is up to 128 ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missle) anti-aircraft missiles with an effective firing range of 50 km. It is quite enough to repel any provocation from the DPRK or China, while the small destroyer can show its own "fists" - on board 8 anti-ship missiles and a whole sea of other weapons.
When creating a promising destroyer, the Japanese put an emphasis on cost savings, as a result, the cost of the Akizuki was "only" 893 million dollars - almost two times less than that of the destroyers of the Arlie Burke family.
Takanami type
There are 5 destroyers in service, built in the period from 2000 to 2006.
Full displacement - 6300 tons.
Armament: 32 UVP cells, 8 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles, 1 x 127 mm gun, 2 Falanx assault rifles, 2 ASWs, one helicopter.
"Takanami" - one of the Japanese destroyers of the "transition period". The expensive and sophisticated Aegis system is absent, but the destroyer already has a universal Mk.41 launcher installed, and stealth technologies are clearly visible in the configuration designs.
The main tasks of strong modern destroyers are anti-submarine defense and the fight against surface ships.
Murasame type
In the period from 1993 to 2002. 9 destroyers of this type were built
Full displacement: 6000 tons
Armament: 16 UVP Mk.48 cells, 8 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles, 1 x 76 mm gun, 2 Falanx assault rifles, 2 ASWs, one helicopter.
Another destroyer of the "transition period". As the main weapon, two 8 charge modules UVP Mk.48 (shortened version of Mk.41), 16 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles or 48 ESSM ammunition are installed.
The artillery is represented by the only 76 mm gun from the Italian firm OTO Melara.
Destroyers of this type can be used to blockade sea areas and to operate as part of escort forces - the cruising range is 4,500 miles at a speed of 20 knots.
Type "Asagiri"
1985 to 1991 8 destroyers of this type were built
Full displacement: 4900 tons
Armament: 8 ASROC anti-submarine missiles, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Sea Sparrow air defense missile systems, 1 x 76 mm gun, 2 Phalanxes, 2 ASW, one helicopter.
A frigate pretending to be a destroyer for solidity. Neither in size, nor in armament, nor in radio electronics "Asagiri" completely does not meet modern requirements. A distinctive feature of this ship is an ugly silhouette with a disproportionately large helicopter hangar aft.
At present, obsolete destroyers are being withdrawn from the fleet's combat strength, two of them have already been converted into training ships. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of the old destroyers still have their resource for going to sea, and 8 eight Harpoon missiles and an anti-submarine helicopter can play a significant role in a naval battle.
Type "Hatsyuki"
In the period 1980-1987. 12 ships built
Full displacement: 4000 tons
Armament: 8 ASROC anti-submarine missiles, 4 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Sea Sparrow air defense missile systems, 1 x 76 mm gun, 2 Phalanxes, 2 ASW, one helicopter.
A representative of the old Japanese school of shipbuilding, a classic set of weapons and ship systems. Despite their dilapidation, destroyers (or rather frigates) use a modern gas turbine power plant.
Of course, under modern conditions, the Khatsyuki destroyers have lost their combat value, so many of them have been put into reserve or converted into training ships.
SUBMARINES
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force includes 17 multipurpose diesel submarines built between 1994 and 2012.
The most modern of them, the Soryu type, are equipped with a unique diesel-stirling-electric power plant and are capable of moving under water at a speed of 20 knots. The maximum diving depth is 300 meters. Crew - 65 people. Armament: six 533 mm torpedo tubes, 30 torpedoes and Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Also in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces there are 3 Osumi-class landing helicopter carriers (built in the early 2000s), several dozen missile boats and minesweepers, high-speed tankers, icebreakers and even UAV control ships!
Naval aviation consists of 34 squadrons, which include 100 aircraft of basic anti-submarine aviation, as well as two hundred helicopters for various purposes.
In my opinion, the history of the early twentieth century is repeating itself, when Western democracies armed the Japanese militarists to the teeth, which led to a bloody denouement.
