“A proposed 13,500 ton helicopter-carrying destroyer, similar in design to a small aircraft carrier, would provide the Maritime Self-Defence Force with greater capability for force projection. A total of three SH-60J and one MH-53E will be carried. These new units are intended to replace the Shirane and Haruna classes of Helicopter Destroyers, with at least four ‘air capable surface combatants’ under study. The officially released design is a unique configuration that features forward and aft helicopter pads with a hanger in the center. Alternative designs are of more conventional layout, and more strongly resemble a normal aircraft carrier.
On 15 December 2001, the Japanese Government approved a new mid-term procurement plan for its Self-Defense Forces totaling 25,160 billion yen (US$223.6 billion) over the next five years. The new procurement plan allows the building of two DDH helicopter escort vessels. In fact, this kind of ship is a type of light aircraft carrier, with its dead weight reaching 13.5 thousand tons and its gross weight 20,000 tons with fuel, water and weapons, beyond the current patrol vessel. In service date will be after 2004.”
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