Japan begins sea trials of helicopter carrier Izumo

摘要

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) has begun sea trials of its helicopter carrier Izumo (DDH 183), a JMSDF official confirmed to IHS Jane's on 29 September. The 248 m-long vessel, which displaces 24,000 tonnes at full load, is the largest Japanese military ship built since the Second World War and can carry up to 14 helicopters. Izumo and its as-yet-unnamed sister ship (DDH 184) will replace the JMSDF's two Shirane-class destroyers, JS Shirane (DDH 143) and JS Kurama (DDH 144), inducted in March 1980 and 1981 respectively.