[Psalm 73]

Helicopter carrier? Their build or foreign purchase?

[staytrue]

All the ships in the photo have the look and feel of a certain “sameness” about them. My guess is domestic design and build.

[blam]

"Helicopter carrier? Their build or foreign purchase?"

I don't know. I wonder if it can handle the Harrier jet?

[JerseyanExile]

It's a Hyuga-class helicopter carrier. They're built in Japan, and there are two in service. If fitted with a jump-ramp, it would be capable of flying Harriers. The Japanese are building two, much larger carriers, the 22DDH project. Those ships will be much larger and capable of handling F-35Bs. Here's a size comparison of the Hyuga and the 22DDH.

[staytrue]

The more I think about it, it has to be Japanese design and build.

Germany has not built a ship since Bismark. The Italians and French boats are floating jokes. The Japs would rather slit their thoats than buy from the chinese or russians.
The ships are not of US origin.

That would leave the English and the Japs. Both are island nations with long histories of powerful navies.

I see no reason for Japan to purchase from England though.

So I conclude, the ships are Japanese design and manufacture.