Days ago, shrouded in a blanket of dense fog, the helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force arrived at the port of San Diego, United States, to begin a series of training operations with the U.S. Navy, focused on the future operation of F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters on the ship.
In mid-September, it was confirmed that the JS Kaga departed from Japan bound for the United States, embarking on its first deployment since undergoing significant modifications to operate with F-35B VTOL fighters. The work on the Izumo-class ship included a bow redesign similar to that of the U.S. Navy’s LHD-type amphibious assault ships. It is expected that the next steps, in line with the required training and certifications, will be for the Maritime Self-Defense Force to change the ship’s current designation, which classifies it as a “helicopter destroyer.”
The trials in the United States will continue until November 18, 2024, during which the JS Kaga will undergo evaluations to optimize operations with fifth-generation STOVL F-35B fighters. “The tests will pave the way for greater interoperability with our allies,” announced the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO).
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force has operated the JS Izumo and JS Kaga since 2013 and 2015, respectively. Throughout their service, Tokyo has officially described them as “multi-purpose operation destroyers” due to their primary purpose of seeking and destroying enemy submarines for Japan’s self-defense. However, they have always been regarded as helicopter carriers. Years later, Japan approved upgrades and modifications to convert them into ships capable of deploying fifth-generation vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
In the case of the deployed ship, the first stage of deck modification work began in 2022, including a new rectangular bow shape and the installation of new coating capable of withstanding the temperatures generated by the F-35B’s engine. The Izumo-class is expected to receive second-stage modifications by the end of this year, which will involve altering the ship’s internal compartments to store F-35B weaponry and final adjustments to the deck’s shape.
It should be noted that these are only the second trials with F-35B fighters embarked on one of the ships in this class, the previous instance being in 2021 when this type of aircraft was deployed from the JS Izumo. It’s worth remembering that Japan plans to incorporate up to 42 F-35Bs to equip its ships, with the first batch of aircraft scheduled for delivery by the end of fiscal year 2024.
Specialized media explain that despite the modifications made to the helicopter carriers, Tokyo remains cautious with the exact terminology, avoiding explicitly labeling the Izumo-class ships as aircraft carriers. This is in line with the country’s longstanding defensive security policies under its pacifist constitution, adopted after World War II. These modifications will allow Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, among other things, to strengthen its military capabilities and air operations in the face of an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region with rising threats from China.
*Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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