Posted on 03/24/2015 10:27:33 PM PDT by Paid_Russian_Troll
YOKOHAMA (Reuters) - Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force on Wednesday took delivery of the biggest Japanese warship since World War Two, the Izumo, a helicopter carrier as big as the Imperial Navy aircraft carriers that battled the United States in the Pacific.
The Izumo with a crew of 470 sailors is a highly visible example of how Japan is expanding the capability of its military to operate overseas and enters service as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks lawmaker approval to loosen the restraints of Japan's pacifist post-war constitution.
The 248 meter (813 feet) long Izumo resembles U.S. Marine Corp amphibious assault carriers in size and design but it is designated as a helicopter destroyer, a label that allows Japan to keep within the bounds of a constitutional ban on owning the means to wage war. Aircraft carriers, because of their ability to project force, are considered offensive weapons.
"The vessel can serve in a wide range of roles including peace keeping operations, international disaster relief and aid," Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense said standing beside the vessel after a handover ceremony at the Japan United Marine shipyard in Yokohama.
"It also helps improve our ability to combat submarines.
Abe's moves to ease Japan's pacifist constitution and its build up in defense capabilities is unnerving neighbor China.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Agreed.
It's above water.
Can't resist. Child of the 60's brought up on "Victory At Sea"...
I’m betting that the helicopter carrier has built into it the capability to quickly add an electric catapult and convert to fixed wing aircraft.
Because......they said they wouldn't.
Everybody got that!?
Have you seen the two new additions to the RAN fleet? Note that ski jump...”for helicopters.”
Japan, Australia or Canada could but them to good use.
Except the Instruction Manuals are in Russian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral-class_amphibious_assault_ship
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