Abukuma-class destroyer escort

JS Tone, Sendai, and Oyodo (from left) in port
Class overview
Builders	Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Template:Sclass-
Succeeded by	30DX class (planned)
Built	1988–1991
In commission	1989–
Planned	11
Completed	6
Cancelled	5
Active	6
General characteristics
Class and type	Abukuma class destroyer escort / frigate
Displacement	2,000 tons standard 2,550 tons full load
Length	357 ft (109 m)
Beam	44 ft (13 m)
Draft	12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion	CODOG, two shafts 2 × Kawasaki-RR SM1A gas turbines 26,650 hp (19.9 MW)＋2 × Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesels 6,000 hp (4.4 MW)
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h)
Complement	120
Sensors and processing systems	FCS-2
Armament	8 × Harpoon missiles ASROC octuple launcher 1 × Otobreda 76 mm gun 1 × Phalanx 20 mm CIWS 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes

The Abukuma class destroyer escort (or frigate) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is the successor of the earlier Yubari-class.

This class was planned to replace the earlier Isuzu-class and possess both ASW capability as the successor of the Chikugo-class and ASuW capability as the successor of the Yubari-class, but there are many enhancements as follows:

Introduction of stealth technology.

This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology. Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.

Enhanced electronics.

This is the first destroyer escort class with the Naval Tactical Data System and OYQ-7 combat direction system. It is also the first destroyer escort class which has ECM capability with the OLT-3 jammer.

Modified weapon systems.

The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system and Phalanx CIWS. The OPS-14 is the Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-49 radar, and the OPS-28 is the equivalent of the American TAS Mk.23. Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles. Mk.31 RAM GMWS Point Defense Missile System was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS) and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes. A Tactical Towed-Array Sonar System was planned but it is not installed yet.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class, but finally, only six were built because Hatsuyuki-class destroyers started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels of the class are named after World War II cruisers.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port
DE-229	Abukuma	17 March 1988	21 December 1988	12 December 1989	Maizuru
DE-230	Jintsu	14 April 1988	31 January 1989	28 February 1990	Ominato
DE-231	Oyodo	8 March 1989	19 December 1989	23 January 1991	Sasebo
DE-232	Sendai	14 April 1989	26 January 1990	15 March 1991	Sasebo
DE-233	Chikuma	14 February 1991	25 January 1992	24 February 1993	Ominato
DE-234	Tone	8 February 1991	6 December 1991	8 February 1993	Sasebo

See also

Media related to Abukuma class frigates at Wikimedia Commons

References

• Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006
• Eric Wertheim (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. pp. 385–386. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.