Wikipedia

Abukuma-class destroyer escort

The Abukuma-class destroyer escort (or frigate) (Japanese: あぶくま型護衛艦, romanized: Abukuma-gata-goeikan) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is the successor of the earlier Yūbari class.[3] They are being replaced by the Mogami-class frigates.[4]

JS Ōyodo in Maizuru port
Class overview
Builders
Operators Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded byYūbari class
Succeeded byMogami class
Built1988–1991
In commission1989–present
Planned11
Completed6
Cancelled5
Active6
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer escort
Displacement
  • 2,000 tons standard
  • 2,550 tons full load
Length357 ft (109 m)
Beam44 ft (13 m)
Draft12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion
Speed27 knots (50 km/h)
Complement120
Sensors &
processing systems
  • OPS-14 air search radar
  • OPS-20 marine radar
  • OPS-28C low-altitude surveillance/surface surveillance
  • FCS-2 fire control system
  • Sonar: OQS-8
Electronic warfare
& decoys		NEC NOLR-6B ESM + OLR-3 Jamming
Armament
Notes[1][2]

History

edit

The first Abukama-class destroyer escort ship was first laid down in 1988 and completed in 1989.[5]

Design

edit
 
Electronic systems on Abukama-class destroyer escorts masts

This class was planned to replace the earlier Isuzu class and possess both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, as the successor of the Chikugo class, and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability, as the successor of the Yūbari class, but there are many enhancements, as follows below.

Introduction of stealth technology

edit

This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology.[5] Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.

Electronic warfare

edit

This is the first destroyer escort class with the Naval Tactical Data System and OYQ-7 combat direction system. It is also the first destroyer escort class which has ECM capability - with the OLT-3 jammer.

Weapon systems

edit

The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun, controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system, and a Phalanx CIWS. The OPS-14 is the Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-49 radar, and the OPS-28 is the equivalent of the American TAS Mk.23. Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles. Mk.31 RAM GMWS Point Defense Missile System was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS), and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes. A tactical towed-array sonar system was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class; ultimately, only six were built because Hatsuyuki-class destroyers started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels in this class are named after Japanese rivers.

Export

edit

On 6 July 2025, the Philippine Navy (PN) reported the possible transfer of the Abukuma-class to the Philippines.[6] It is expected that more or less six ships will be transferred if they are found to be in good condition. A status check visit is scheduled for the summer of 2025, at which time the Philippine side hopes to identify at least five vessels[7] subject to inspection once PN sailors visit Japan.[8] The transfer was based on an agreement during a bilateral meeting in Singapore in June 2025.[9] The Yomiuri Shimbun suggests that equipment previously installed on the Abukuma-class can be changed if needed to meet PN requirements.[10]

Ships in the class

edit
Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Home port Status
DE-229 Abukuma 17 March 1988 21 December 1988 12 December 1989 Kure Active
DE-230 Jintsū 14 April 1988 31 January 1989 28 February 1990 Sasebo Active
DE-231 Ōyodo 8 March 1989 19 December 1989 23 January 1991 Ominato Active
DE-232 Sendai 14 April 1989 26 January 1990 15 March 1991 Maizuru Active
DE-233 Chikuma 14 February 1991 25 January 1992 24 February 1993 Ominato Active
DE-234 Tone 8 February 1991 6 December 1991 8 February 1993 Kure Active

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ "Abukuma class Destroyer Escort - DE".
  2. ^ "護衛艦「あぶくま」型" (in Japanese). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
  3. ^ "Abukuma Class Destroyer Escorts". Naval Technology. Archived from the original on 2013-04-27. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  4. ^ Fish, Tim (2022-04-11). "Japan Countering China's Naval Build-up with Modern Fleet". USNI News. Archived from the original on 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  5. ^ a b Hideki Kaihoshi (2021-11-20). "「あぶくま」型、汎用護衛艦並みの強力な装備を持つ沿岸用護衛艦" (in Japanese). Motor Fan.
  6. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (2025-07-06). "PH Navy confirms 'possible transfer' of Abukuma destroyer escorts". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  7. ^ Mangosing, Frances (2025-07-06). "Japan in talks to transfer warships, surveillance aircraft to the Philippines". Naval News. Archived from the original on 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  8. ^ Rex Espiritu (2025-07-06). "Japan to transfer used anti-sub destroyers to PH". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  9. ^ "Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri reports". Reuters. 2025-07-06. Archived from the original on 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  10. ^ "フィリピンに護衛艦を輸出へ、中国への抑止力強化に初の事例…中古の「あぶくま型」全６隻" (in Japanese). The Yomiuri Shimbun. 2025-07-06.

References

edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abukuma class frigates.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abukuma-class_destroyer_escort&oldid=1305971822"