Japan Launches Huge Carrier

[LongBlade]

It's billed as a helo carrier, but there's little doubt in my mind that it could easily be converted into a fixed-wing carrier if needed.

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 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.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/08/06/japan-unveils-new-carrier-like-warship-largest-in-its-navy-since-world-war-ii/?test=latestnews#ixzz2bBunavTE

[undercovergeek]

are they actually banned from having carriers, or is it a self imposed ban?

[W8taminute]

Hard to tell how big that ship is from the photo but I'm kind of glad Japan is launching this kind of ship. 

[LongBlade]

820 feet according to the article.

[Centurion40]

Good for them.

As the Japanese navy grows, perhaps you Americans can save some $$ by cutting the massive size of your Pacific fleet!

[Martok]

are they actually banned from having carriers, or is it a self imposed ban?

I would say "it depends". 


The article states: 

...because of constitutional restrictions that limit its military forces to a defensive role.

...but that doesn't necessarily prevent Japan from building carriers. 

[steve58]

Got ninja'd by Longblade in the other thread, but here is a link that has a couple more pics, including an overhead shot.

http://news.sky.com/story/1125173/japan-unveils-largest-warship-since-wwii

[Atilla60]

It's a DDH Hyuga Class and it's actually not the first to be launched.

I believe the first (in a series of six) was launched in 2009
Check it out:

[mirth]

The Izumo is the lead ship of a new class entirely and quite a bit larger than the Hyugas.

[TheCommandTent]

I wonder how the Chinese feel about this.

[mirth]

They'll probably be less happy if the Japanese decide to embark F-35s on them.

[LongBlade]

I wonder how the Chinese feel about this.

I read an interesting report on Stratfor about China the other day.

The Chinese economic expansion is about to come to an end. The Chinese can mitigate the timing, but not the contraction. Since their greatest worry is domestic stability, they are going to have their hands full over the next couple of decades just trying not to have too many riots in the streets. Their days of adventurism on the high seas are likely to come to an end.

[Greybriar]

Tora! Tora! Tora!  ;)

[Staggerwing]

820 feet according to the article.

That actually slightly longer than the IJN's Kaga and 35 feet shorter than the Akagi. 55 feet shorter than the Essex class carriers.

Damn big destroyer if you ask me.                                                               

[LongBlade]

820 feet according to the article.

That actually slightly longer than the IJN's Kaga and 35 feet shorter than the Akagi. 55 feet shorter than the Essex class carriers.

Damn big destroyer if you ask me.                                                             

I have no doubt that they would be able to convert that to fixed wings if needed.