Hida-class patrol vessel

Hida class patrol vessel is a class of patrol vessel within the PL series (Large patrol vessel) of the Japan Coast Guard. The class name "Hida" is named after Hida Mountains, the northernmost mountain range of the Japanese Alps, a famous mountain range in Japan.

This class is one of the more modern patrol vessel classes designed to intercept spy boats of the DPRK. These classes are referred to as "High-speed, high-functionality patrol vessel, large" (高速高機能大型巡視船). The vessels carry a Bofors 40 mm L/70 autocannon with a laser-optical fire-control system, and are able to safely deal with heavily armed spy boats of the DPRK which intrude into Japanese waters. The hull of this class is bulletproof in cases of close-range firefights using small arms.

Ships of this class are among the leading vessels of flotillas intended for spy boat interception. With the helicopter deck of this class, the Special Security Team can arrive at the scene with Eurocopter EC225 helicopters. The broadband SATCOM system of this class can relay video data from helicopters to the ground station or the HQ of the JCG. This class is equipped with the LIDAR system to acquire targets with high accuracy, and at the same time, this system enables them to perform search and rescue mission more safely.

Ships in the class

 * PL51 Hida
 * Commissioned:18 April 2006
 * Home port: Niigata, Niigata


 * PL52 Akaishi
 * Commissioned:18 April 2006
 * Home port: Kagoshima


 * PL53 Kiso
 * Commissioned:11 March 2008
 * Home port: Sakaiminato, Tottori