Japan commissions ocean surveillance ship
As Chinese submarines venture farther afield, neighbours such as Japan need new naval assets to see whether they are intruding.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned a 67m-long ocean surveillance vessel – the third in its class – on 4 March. Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (E&S) built the ship.
Christened JS Aki (AOS 5203), the catamaran-hulled vessel belongs to the Hibiki class. The commissioning ceremony took place in the city of Tamano in Okayama Prefecture, with the ship joining Ocean Surveillance Division 1 stationed at Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima.
Laid down in March 2019, the vessel was launched on 15 January 2020 under a contract signed in February 2018. It comes nearly 30 years after the last ocean
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
-
![Canada awards Seaspan a construction contract for the first Coast Guard’s Polar Icebreaker]()
Canada awards Seaspan a construction contract for the first Coast Guard’s Polar Icebreaker
CCGS Arpatuuq will be the first heavy cold weather vessel entirely built in Canada.
-
![Denmark places $184 million contract for Naval Strike Missiles]()
Denmark places $184 million contract for Naval Strike Missiles
The missiles are being purchased through a government-to-government sale with Norway and will be operated from Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates.
-
![Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD]()
Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD
The landing platform dock, believed to be the largest naval vessel that China has exported, will see the Chinese-built vessel embrace Western technology.
