But from the perspective of military tactics, the Izumo can help increase Japan's anti-submarine capability and serve as the command ship for its navy's amphibious warfare," Zhang Junshe, a research fellow with the Navy Military Academic Research Institute under the People's Liberation Army, told the Global Times. "Strategically speaking, one or two warships won't change the big picture. "It also helps improve our ability to combat submarines," he said. "The vessel can serve in a wide range of roles including peacekeeping 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, Kanagawa Prefecture on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Longer-range patrol aircraft and military cargo planes are also added to the Izumo's defense capability, aside from Japan's plan to buy Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and amphibious assault vehicles from the US. It can also load MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft to be purchased by the Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan's Kyodo News reported. The 19,500-ton destroyer Izumo, measuring 248 meters long and 38 meters wide, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force on Wednesday took delivery of its biggest warship since World War II, a vessel that observers say is a "de-facto aircraft carrier" and the latest sign that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is actively seeking to loosen the restraints on Japan's pacifist constitution. An aerial picture shows Japan's largest destroyer Izumo preparing to leave port in Yokohama for its Yokosuka base on Wednesday, after a handover ceremony.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |