Japan Japan starts conversion of second Izumo helicopter carrier

[Cabatli_TR]

Japan has started converting the second of two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers capable of supporting the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

A JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 31 March that Japan Marine United (JMU) recently started refit work on JS Kaga (DDH-184) at the company's Kure shipyard in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Janes understands that modifications will be made in two main stages to coincide with the vessel's periodic refit and overhaul programmes, which take place every five years.

Initial modifications, which will take place extensively during fiscal year (FY) 2022, starting 1 April, include reinforcing the flight deck to support additional weight, placing additional guidance lights, drawing the yellow lines on the flight deck necessary for launching F-35Bs, and fitting the ship with heat-resistant deck spots for vertical landings.

Japan starts conversion of second Izumo helicopter carrier

Japan has started converting the second of two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers capable of supporting the...

www.janes.com

 

[RogerRanger]

Oh dear, worrying times for the world I think. We Japanese rearmament. And the Germans re-arming too. Not going to end well.