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The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) helicopter destroyer JDS Ise (DDH 182), foreground, and the JMSDF destroyer Akizuki (DD 115) participate in a photo exercise with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) for exercise Keen Sword. Exercise Keen Sword is a bilateral field training exercise held biennially since 1986. The exercise is designed to increase the interoperability of U.S. Forces and the JSDF to effectively and mutually provide for the defense of Japan, or respond to a regional crisis or contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region. Germantown is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (#PELARG14), commanded by Capt. Heidi Agle, and is conducting joint forces exercises in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
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Hmm. No wonder the Chinese are freaking out about this helicopter carrier. Its much larger than I thought and looks to be approaching the size of our LHD's. Evolutionary development would indicate that the Japanese are just a few years away from finally getting a real deal, 100% aircraft carrier...if their economy doesn't implode first that is!
The Japanese seem very serious about developing a true Island Hopping Force.Preference for wheeled assault gun, feasibility studies on firing MLRS while onboard a ship, a brand new air superiority fighter to dominate the air above the island/water, Soryu's, above mentioned Chopper carriers and possible future Aircraft Carrier etc. Shinzo aboe and his planners are acting like a man with a plan. A plan to counter the real PLAN.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if their is any intention to use these as 'aircraft carriers', china and russia both have very large submarine fleets and so their is a very real submarine threat in that region. So it might make sense to have 'helicopter-carrier destroyers/cruisers' like this, especially with improvements we are seeing in the combat radius of helicopters.
DeleteKeep in mind being in the pacific, their is an abundance of cheap, potential aircraft carriers (islands), of which japan still owns quiet a few even after being stripped of many of them as the result of WW2.
True, the Japanese can use these Islands as "Cheap" carriers or airfields but these Islands lack the mobility of a carrier thus making any chinese counter to such Island Carriers equally cheap. Yes, they cant be sunk but they cannot move. And they can be starved of resources and supply.
Deletehttp://online.wsj.com/articles/japan-falls-into-recession-1416182404
ReplyDeleteJapan Falls Into Recession
GDP Declines 1.6%, Setting Stage for Delay in Sales-Tax Increase