Izumo-class helicopter destroyer

The Izumo-class helicopter destroyer (いずも型護衛艦) or 22DDH is a type of new helicopter carrier class being constructed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The ships of this class will be the largest surface combatants of the JMSDF, taking over the mantle currently held by the Hyūga-class helicopter destroyers. The lead ship was officially unveiled at Yokohama on 6 August 2013.

Construction
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) first announced plans for the class on November 23, 2009. This ship's primary mission is anti-submarine warfare but peacekeeping and disaster relief operations are also being considered.

The ship will be able to carry up to 14 helicopters; however, only 7 ASW helicopters and 2 SAR helicopters are planned for the initial aircraft complement. For other operations, 400 troops and 50 3.5t trucks (or equivalent equipment) can also be carried. The flight deck has 5 helicopter landing spots that allow simultaneous landings or take-offs. The ship is equipped with 2 Phalanx CIWS and 2 SeaRAM for its defense. The destroyers of this class were initially intended to replace the two ships of the Shirane class, which were originally scheduled to begin decommissioning in FY2014.

In 2010, Forecast International reported that some design features were intended to support aircraft such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II; although neither the MOD nor the JMSDF have mentioned the possibility of introducing fixed-wing aircraft. The ship has neither a "ski-jump" nor a catapult, typical features for launching fixed-wing aircraft. If Izumo class ships were to operate fixed-wing aircraft, it would be limited to STOVL (short take-off, vertical landing) aircraft, of which Japan currently does not possess any. The ships are not equipped with heat-shielded flight decks, which would be necessary to withstand the extremes of conducting vertical take-offs and landings with the F-35B. In addition, the limited deck space allows only a small number of aircraft to be carried onboard.

The construction of the first ship of the class began in 2011 at an IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama, with funding totalling 113.9 billion yen ($1.5 billion) being set aside in the fiscal 2010 budget for this purpose. Commissioning of the first of class is currently scheduled for 2015.

Ships in the class
In September 2011, The Asahi Shinbun reported that the Ministry of Defence is to proceed with a budget request calling for funds for the construction of the planned second unit in the class, but finally, the budget was approved and construction contract was awarded to IHI Corporation in October 2012. This will come under the Defense Ministry's Mid-Term Defense Program FY2011-2015. The first ship in the class, the Izumo was launched on 6 August 2013.

Unveiling
On August 6, 2013 the Izumo (DDH-183) was unveiled in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan. The Washington Post noted that this ship, the biggest warship in Japan's fleet since World War II, "has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier" and has been described by the Chinese, as an “aircraft-carrier in disguise”. Though technically a destroyer, some experts believe the new Japanese ship could potentially be used in the future to launch fighter jets or other fixed wing aircraft.

Japanese officials say it will be used in national defense. Specifically, they cited anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions. Additionally, it is intended to bolster the nation’s ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale disasters. This unveiling occurred at a time of heightened tensions over several small disputed islands called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China. The islands are located between southern Japan and Taiwan.