MilitaryJS Izumo (Helicopter Carrier / Proto-Carrier)
Aircraft Carrierconfirmed
The Izumo-class ships are Japan's largest warships since WWII. Originally classified as helicopter destroyers (DDH), they are being converted to operate F-35B short take-off/vertical landing fighters, effectively making Japan an aircraft carrier operator for the first time since 1945.
Specifications
| Type | Aircraft Carrier |
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Japan Marine United |
| Introduced | 2015 |
| Status | In service |
| Range | 11,000 |
| Weight | 27,000 |
| Speed | 53 |
| Crew | 970 |
History
Two ships: JS Izumo (DDH-183, 2015) and JS Kaga (DDH-184, 2017). The 2018 Japanese defense guidelines approved F-35B purchase and carrier conversion. Izumo underwent first flight trials with F-35Bs in October 2021. Full F-35B operational capability expected by 2027.
Operators
| Country | Quantity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | JS Izumo + JS Kaga (converting to carriers) | confirmed |
Text adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo from Wikimedia Commons; see the Wikipedia article for author and license.
