Country of origin Japan Entered service 2015 Crew ? Aircrew ? Flag staff ? Marines 400 Sea endurance ? Dimensions and displacement Length 248 m Beam 38 m Draught 7.5 m Flight deck length ? Flight deck width ? Hangar deck length ? Displacement, empty 19 000 tons Displacement, full load 27 000 tons Propulsion and speed Speed 30 knots Propulsion COGAG propulsion system with 4 gas turbines, developing 112 000 hp combined Airwing Fixed wing (optional) F-35B or V-22 Osprey Helicopters 14 x SH-60J or SH-60K Armament Artillery 2 x 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Missiles 2 x SeaRAM The Izumo class is a new type of helicopter carriers of the Japan's Marine Self-Defense Forces. Two ships of this class were planned. The new ships replaced in service ageing Shirane class anti-submarine warfare destroyers. The lead ship Izumo was launched in 2013. It was commisioned in 2015. It is the biggest Japanese warship since the World War II. It is even larger than the previous Hyuga class helicopter carriers. The Izumo class helicopter carriers are multi-role ships. These can conduct amphibious operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. This class provides the Maritime Self-Defense Force with greater force projection capability. This helicopter carrier bears a strong resemblance to a light aircraft carriers. The Izumo is even larger than Italian Cavour, Spanish Principe de Asturias and some other light aircraft carriers. However the Izumo class ships are referred as helicopter destroyers in Japan for political reasons. It is against Japanese constitution to operate what is referred as offensive weapons and exceeds necessary level of self-defense. The helicopter destroyer classification is not correct, as these ships are significantly larger than destroyers, have a full-length flight deck and relatively large air wing. The flight deck has 5 helicopter landing spots for simultaneous take-offs and landings. The Izumo class ships can carry 14 helicopters. Maximum number of helicopters carried is 28. However it is claimed that typical air wing during peace time will be 7 anti-submarine warfare and 2 search and rescue helicopters. Apart from helicopters these ships can also accommodate F-35B stealthy multi-role fighters with short-take off and vertical landing capability and V-22 Osprey tiltrotor transports. However initially Japan's officials deliberately never mentioned this capability. Though in 2018 it was announced that Japan will modify its two Izumo class helicopter destroyers will be modified in order to accommodate F-35 series stealthy multi-role fighters. So the warships will effectively become light aircraft carriers. This was reportedly due to rapid build up of Chinese navy and commissioning of second Chinese Liaoning class aircraft carrier. These will be the first Japan's aircraft carriers since the end of World War II. For amphibious operations it can carry troops and vehicles inside the ship. Typically 400 marines and 50 3.5 t trucks (or equivalent equipment) can be carried. However Izumo class carriers lack a well deck that dedicated amphibious assault ships have. Troops can be landed on the beaches via helicopters. For self-defense the ships will be equipped with two 20 mm Phalanx close-in weapon systems and two SeaRAM missile launchers. Normally these helicopter carriers are escorted by other warships, that defend them from air, surface and underwater attacks. These ships have a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system. Each ship is fitted with four gas turbines, developing 28 000 hp each. These deliver power to two shafts. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status Izumo (183) 2012 2013 2015 active, in service Kaga (184) 2013 2015 2017 active, in service Can't find what you're looking for?