Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (海上自衛隊 Kaijō Jieitai), or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Force, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II. The JMSDF has a large fleet and its main tasks are to maintain control of the nation's sea lanes and to patrol territorial waters. It has also stepped up its participation in UN-led peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOs).

Statistics

 * Active Duty Personnel: 55,000
 * Reserve Personnel: 34,600
 * Commander of the Navy: Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano
 * Active Vessels: 162
 * Number of Naval Bases: 8 (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kure, Maizuru, Okayama, Ominato, Sasebo, Yokosuka)
 * Number of Air Bases: 7 (Atsugai, Hachinohe, Iwakuni, Kanoya, Naha, Oomura, Tateyama)

Active Vessels

 * Fuji-class Aircraft Carrier (2, 1 UC) - 2020
 * JS Fuji (CV-01)
 * JS Tate (CV-02) - sea trials
 * JS Haku (CV-03) - fitting out
 * Yura-class Utility Landing Ship (2) - 1981
 * JS Yura (LSU-4171)
 * JS Maizuru (LSU-4172)
 * 1-Go-class Landing Craft (2) - 1988
 * JS Yusotei 1-Go (LCU-2001)
 * JS Yusotei 2-Go (LCU-2002)
 * Oosumi-class Tank Landing Ship (3) - 1998
 * JS Oosumi (LST-4001)
 * JS Shimokita (LST-4002)
 * JS Kunisaki (LST-4003)
 * LCAC-class Air Cushioned Landing Craft (6) - 1998
 * JS LCAC-01 (LCAC-2101)
 * JS LCAC-02 (LCAC-2102)
 * JS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2103)
 * JS LCAC-04 (LCAC-2104)
 * JS LCAC-05 (LCAC-2105)
 * JS LCAC-06 (LCAC-2106)
 * J-LHD (2 planned) - 20XX
 * JS Unnamed
 * JS Unnamed
 * Hyuuga-class Helicopter Destroyer (2) - 2009
 * JS Hyuuga (DDH-181)
 * JS Ise (DDH-182)
 * Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer (2) - 2015
 * JS Izumo (DDH-183)
 * JS Kaga (DDH-184)
 * Hatakaze-class Guided Missile Destroyer (2) - 1986
 * JS Hatakaze (DDG-171)
 * JS Shimakaze (DDG-172)
 * Kongou-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 1993
 * JS Kongou (DDG-173)
 * JS Kirishima (DDG-174)
 * JS Myoukou (DDG-175)
 * JS Choukai (DDG-176)
 * Atago-class Guided Missile Destroyer (4) - 2007
 * JS Atago (DDG-177)
 * JS Ashigara (DDG-178)
 * JS Maya (DDG-179)
 * JS Haguro (DDG-180)
 * Yukinami-class Guided Missile Destroyer (2) - 2020
 * JS Yukinami (DDG-181)
 * JS Mirai (DDG-182)
 * Asagiri-class Destroyer (8) - 1988
 * JS Asagiri (DD-151)
 * JS Yamagiri (DD-152)
 * JS Yuugiri (DD-153)
 * JS Amagiri (DD-154)
 * JS Hamagiri (DD-155)
 * JS Setogiri (DD-156)
 * JS Sawagiri (DD-157)
 * JS Umigiri (DD-158)
 * Murasame-class Destroyer (9) - 1996
 * JS Murasame (DD-101)
 * JS Harusame (DD-102)
 * JS Yudachi (DD-103)
 * JS Kirisame (DD-104)
 * JS Inazuma (DD-105)
 * JS Samidare (DD-106)
 * JS Ikazuchi (DD-107)
 * JS Akebono (DD-108)
 * JS Ariake (DD-109)
 * Takanami-class Destroyer (5) - 2003
 * JS Takanami (DD-110)
 * JS Onami (DD-111)
 * JS Makinami (DD-112)
 * JS Sazanami (DD-113)
 * JS Suzunami (DD-114)
 * Akizuki-class Destroyer (4) - 2012
 * JS Akizuki (DD-115)
 * JS Teruzuki (DD-116)
 * JS Suzutsuki (DD-117)
 * JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118)
 * Asahi-class Destroyer (2) - 2018
 * JS Asahi (DD-119)
 * JS Shiranui  (DD-120)
 * Isokaze-class Destroyer (4 planned) - 2020
 * JS Isokaze (DD-121) - planned for construction
 * JS Yukikaze (DD-122) - planned for construction
 * JS Tokitsukaze (DD-123) - planned for construction
 * JS Amatsukaze (DD-124) - planned for construction
 * Abukuma-class Destroyer Escort (6) - 1989
 * JS Abukuma (DE-229)
 * JS Jintsu (DE-230)
 * JS Ooyodo (DE-231)
 * JS Sendai (DE-232)
 * JS Chikuma (DE-233)
 * JS Tone (DE-234)
 * Mogami-class Frigate (5, 3 UC, 4 planned) - 2022
 * JS Mogami (FFM-01)
 * JS Kumano (FFM-02)
 * JS Noshiro (FFM-03)
 * JS Mikuma (FFM-04)
 * JS Yahagi (FFM-05) - sea trials
 * JS Agano (FFM-06) - fitting out
 * JS Niyodo (FFM-07) - fitting out
 * JS Unnamed (FFM-08) - under construction
 * JS Unnamed (FFM-09) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (FFM-10) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (FFM-11) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (FFM-12) - planned for construction
 * Harushio-class Patrol Submarine (4) - 1990
 * JS Harushio (SS-583)
 * JS Natsushio (SS-584)
 * JS Arashio (SS-586)
 * JS Wakashio (SS-587)
 * Oyashio-class Submarine (11) - 1998
 * JS Oyashio (SS-590)
 * JS Michishio (SS-591)
 * JS Uzushio (SS-592)
 * JS Makishio (SS-593)
 * JS Isoshio (SS-594)
 * JS Narushio (SS-595)
 * JS Kuroshio (SS-596)
 * JS Takashio (SS-597)
 * JS Yaeshio (SS-598)
 * JS Setoshio (SS-599)
 * JS Mochishi (SS-600)
 * Souryuu-class Submarine (12) - 2009
 * JS Souryuu (SS-501)
 * JS Unryuu (SS-502)
 * JS Hakuryuu (SS-503)
 * JS Kenryuu (SS-504)
 * JS Zuiryuu (SS-505)
 * JS Kokuryu (SS-506)
 * JS Jinyuu (SS-507)
 * JS Sekiryuu (SS-508)
 * JS Seiryuu (SS-509)
 * JS Shouryuu (SS-510)
 * JS Ooryuu (SS-511)
 * JS Touryuu (SS-512)
 * Taigei-class Hunter-Killer Submarine (1, 4 UC, 7 planned) - 2022
 * JS Taigei (SS-513)
 * JS Hakugei (SS-514) - fitting out
 * JS Jingei (SS-515) - fitting out
 * JS Unnamed (SS-516) - under construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-517) - under construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-518) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-519) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-520) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-521) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-522) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-523) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (SS-524) - planned for construction
 * Sagami-class Combat Support Ship (1) - 1979
 * JS Sagami (AOE-421)
 * Futami-class Ocean Survey Vessel (2) - 1979
 * JS Futami (AGS-5102)
 * JS Wakata (AGS-5104)
 * Suma-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1982
 * JS Suma (AGS-5103)
 * Towada-class Combat Support Ship (3) - 1987
 * JS Towada (AOE-422)
 * JS Tokiwa (AOE-423)
 * JS Hamana (AOE-424)
 * Kurobe-class Training Support Ship (1) - 1989
 * JS Kurobe (ATS-4202)
 * Hibiki-class Ocean Surveillance Ship (3) - 1991
 * JS Hibiki (AOS-5201)
 * JS Harima (AOS-5202)
 * JS Aki (AOS-5203)
 * Asuka-class Experimental Testbed Vessel (1) - 1995
 * JS Asuka (ASE-6102)
 * Nichinan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1999
 * JS Nichinan (AGS-5105)
 * Hashidate-class Yacht (1) - 1999
 * JS Hashidate (ASY-91)
 * Chihaya-class Submarine Rescue Ship (1) - 2000
 * JS Chihaya (ASR-403)
 * Tenryu-class Training Support Ship (2) - 2000
 * JS Tenryu (ATS-4203)
 * JS Tatsuta (ATS-4204)
 * YDT-01-class Diving Support Vessel (6) - 2000
 * JS YDT-01
 * JS YDT-02
 * JS YDT-03
 * JS YDT-04
 * JS YDT-05
 * JS YDT-06
 * Hiuchi-class Multirole Support Ship (5) - 2002
 * JS Hiuchi (AMS-4301)
 * JS Suo (AMS-4302)
 * JS Amakusa (AMS-4303)
 * JS Genkai (AMS-4304)
 * JS Enshu (AMS-4305)
 * Mashu-class Combat Support Ship (2) - 2004
 * JS Mashi (AOE-425)
 * JS Omi (AOE-426)
 * Shirase-class Icebreaker (1) - 2009
 * JS Shirase (AGB-5003)
 * Shounan-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 2010
 * JS Shounan (AGS-5106)
 * Muroto-class Cablelayer (1) - 2012
 * JS Muroto (ARC-483)
 * Chiyoda-class Submarine Rescue Vessel (1 UC) - 2018
 * JS Chiyoda (AS-404) - fitting out
 * YOT-1-class Yard Oiler Tanker (2 UC) - 2022
 * JS YOT-1 - fitting out
 * JS YOT-2 - fitting out
 * Towada-class replacement (3 planned) - 20XX
 * JS Unnamed (AOE-427) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (AOE-428) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (AOE-429) - planned for construction
 * Kashima-class Training Ship (4) - 1995
 * JS Kashima (TV-3508)
 * JS Kashii (TV-3509)
 * JS Katori (TV-3510)
 * JS Kashihara (TV-3511)
 * Shimayuki-class Training Vessel (3) - 1999
 * JS Shimayuki (TV-3513)
 * JS Shirayuki (TV-3517)
 * JS Setoyuki (TV-3518)
 * Asashio-class Training Submarine (3) - 2002
 * JS Asashio (TSS-3601)
 * JS Hayashio (TSS-3606)
 * JS Fuyushio (TSS-3607)
 * Uraga-class Minesweeper Tender (2) - 1997
 * JS Uraga (MST-463)
 * JS Bungo (MST-464)
 * Sugashima-class Minesweeper (12) - 1999
 * JS Sugashima (MSC-681)
 * JS Notojima (MSC-682)
 * JS Tsunoshima (MSC-683)
 * JS Naoshima (MSC-684)
 * JS Toyoshima (MSC-685)
 * JS Ukushima (MSC-686)
 * JS Izushima (MSC-687)
 * JS Aishima (MSC-688)
 * JS Aoshima (MSC-689)
 * JS Miyajima (MSC-690)
 * JS Shishijima (MSC-691)
 * JS Kuroshima (MSC-692)
 * Hirashima-class Minesweeper (3) - 2008
 * JS Hirashima (MSC-601)
 * JS Yakushima (MSC-602)
 * JS Takashima (MSC-602)
 * Enoshima-class Minesweeper (3) - 2011
 * JS Enoshima (MSC-604)
 * JS Chichijima (MSC-605)
 * JS Hatsushima (MSC-606)
 * Awaji-class Minesweeper (3, 1 planned) - 2017
 * JS Awaji (MSO-604)
 * JS Hirado (MSO-605)
 * JS Etajima (MSO-606)
 * JS Unnamed (MSO-607) - planned for construction
 * Hayabusa-class Guided Missile Patrol Boat (6) - 2002
 * JS Hayabusa (PG-824)
 * JS Wakataka (PG-285)
 * JS Otaka (PG-286)
 * JS Kumataka (PG-287)
 * JS Umitaka (PG-288)
 * JS Shiritaka (PG-289)
 * J-LCS (12) - 202X
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-01) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-02) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-03) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-04) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-05) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-06) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-07) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-08) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-09) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-10) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-11) - planned for construction
 * JS Unnamed (LCS-12) - planned for construction

Fighters

 * Lockheed Martin F-16KJ Sea Viper x 0 - 60 on order (Attack Aircraft)
 * Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II x 0 - 42 on order (Strike Fighter)
 * Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II x 0 - 60 on order (Strike Fighter)

ELINT Aircraft

 * Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye x 0 - 18 on order (AWACS Aircraft)
 * Lockheed EP-3C Aries II x 4 (ELINT Aircraft)
 * Lockheed OP-3C x 6 (Optical Reconnaissance)

Maritime Patrol Aircraft

 * Kawasaki P-1 x 24 - 80 more on order (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
 * Lockheed P-3C Orion x 68 (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)

Transport/Utility Aircraft

 * Beechcraft LC-90 King Air x 6 (Liaison/Utility Aircraft)
 * Boeing MQ-25A Stingray x 18 (Carrier based Aerial Tanker)
 * Learjet U-36A x 4 (Utility Aircraft)
 * Lockheed KC-130R Hercules x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
 * NAMC YS-11 x 6 (Utility Aircraft)
 * ShinMaywa US-1 x 2 (Search and Rescue)
 * ShinMaywa US-2 x 6 (Search and Rescue)

Trainer Aircraft

 * Beechcraft TC-90 King Air x 28 (Trainer Aircraft)
 * Fuji T-5 x 36 (Trainer Aircraft)
 * Lockheed UP-3C x 2 (Equipment Testing Aircraft)
 * Lockheed UP-3D x 4 (Electronic Warfare Trainer)

Helicopters

 * AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin x 14 (Minesweeping/Transport Helicopter)
 * Eurocopter EC135 x 15 (Trainer Helicopter)
 * McDonnell-Douglas MD500 Defender x 9 (Trainer Helicopter)
 * Mitsubishi SH-60J Seahawk x 100 (Maritime Helicopter)
 * Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion x 10 (Minesweeping Helicopter)
 * Sikorsky UH-60J Black Hawk x 20 Search and Rescue)

Ships

 * Japan will be continuing modifications to the Izumo-class light carriers to enable them to carry the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Both carriers are expected to have their modifications completed by 2027.
 * Japan will be building a pair of landing helicopter docks and a quartet of amphibious transport docks. The landing helicopter docks will have a length of 720 feet (219.46 meters), a beam of 124 feet (37.8 meters), a draft of 26 feet 3 inches (8 meters), a displacement of ~20,000 tons, a top speed of 24 knots (44.45 km/h). The amphibious transport docks will have a length of 689 feet (210 meters), a beam of 98 feet 5 inches (30 meters), a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 16,000 tons, and a top speed of 22 knots (40.74 km/h).
 * Japan will be building a trio of amphibious transport vessels based on the US Army's General Frank S. Besson-class support vessels.
 * Japan will be building a trio of mobile landing platforms based on the USN's Lewis B. Puller expeditionary mobile base and Montford Point-class expeditionary transfer dock. This class will be 787 feet 6 inches (240 meters) in length, 128 feet (39 meters) wide, have a draft of 23 feet (7 meters), a displacement of 21,000 tons, a speed of 15 knots (27.78 km/h), and a maximum complement of 240 people.
 * Japan will be building two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) with a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.
 * Japan will be building twelve 3,900 ton Mogami-class frigates and a further twelve of a new class of larger 4,880 frigates to replace the older Asagiri-class destroyers and Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.
 * Japan will be building at least seven 3,000 ton Taigei-class submarines to replace the older Harushio-class patrol submarines.
 * Japan is building a class of eight 6,800 ton nuclear powered fast attack submarines.
 * Japan will be building a new class of 14,500 tonne replenishment vessels to replace the aging Sagami and Towada-class combat support ships.
 * Japan will be building twelve new offshore patrol vessels to take over the patrol missions of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Hayabusa-class patrol boats.

Aircraft

 * The JMSDF will be purchasing the F-35B Lightning II for the Izumo-class light carriers and the F-35C for the larger Fuji-class carriers.
 * The JMSDF will be developing a new electronic warfare aircraft based on the Kawasaki P-1.

Weapons

 * Japan and the United States will be working together to develop the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
 * Japan will develop a new stealthy surface-to-ship/surface-to-surface precision guided missile with a planned service date of ~2030.