The Japanese Navy's most powerful fleet in Asia

The Japan Coast Guard possesses many modern warships, as well as the leading professional combat capabilities in Asia.

Warships in service with the JMSDF

Ownfleet114 warships includingmulti-purpose destroyers, diesel-electric attack submarines, large landing shipswith 45,800 professional soldiers,Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)considered the leading navy in Asia today, according toNational Interest.

Nominally, the JMSDF acts as a "self-defense force" responsible for security in the seas surrounding Japanese territory,not a real navyHowever, in terms of warship power, no naval force in Asia can match the JMSDF, according to military expert Kyle Mizokami.

The main component of the JMSDF is its fleet of 46 destroyers and frigates, more than the UK and France combined. This force is divided into several escort squadrons, tasked with defending the country against invasion, retaking territory and ensuring freedom of navigation on sea lanes.

Japan's top surface warships are the four Kongo-class destroyers, including JS Kongo, JS Kirishima, JS Myoko and JS Chokai,Developed from the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

The power of these ships lies in the Aegis Combat System, which is capable of tracking and destroying a wide range of airborne threats. They also form a ballistic missile defense shield for Japan, with just two Kongo-class ships able to protect most of the country's territory.

The Kongo-class's armament is primarily defensive, with 90 Mark 41 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes located on the fore and aft decks. They can carry SM-2MR air defense missiles and the SM-3 Block IB ballistic missile interceptor, which will soon be replaced by the newer Block IIA model. They also have a 127mm main gun, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, six torpedo tubes, and two Phalanx close-in weapon systems.

Based on the Kongo platform, Japan continued to develop and build two new Atago-class destroyers. These warships are larger in size and capable of performing more missions than the Kongo-class, including command center functions at sea. The Atago class is the first Japanese surface warship to exceed the 10,000-ton displacement mark since World War II.

Japanese Atago-class destroyer

The JSMDF also possesses the giant Izumo-class landing ships, consisting of two ships, the JS Izumo and JS Kaga. Each ship has a full displacement of 27,000 tons and is more than 244 meters long, making it Tokyo’s largest surface ships since World War II.

Japan calls the Izumo class a helicopter destroyer, but China considers it a true aircraft carrier. Izumo cannot carry fixed-wing fighters, but can hold up to 28 helicopters of various types.Imuzo is considered a multi-purpose warship class, capable of performing many different missions such asanti-submarine warfare, minesweeping and amphibious transport.

Submarines are an important part of the JMSDF. Japan is planning to have a fleet of 22 submarines.Oyashio-class and Soryu-classto cope with the strong development of the Chinese navy.

With a displacement of 4,100 tons submerged, the Soryu is Japan's largest submarine since World War II. These submarines are all equipped withair-independent propulsion (AIP) system, allowing the ship to operate silently for two weeks without surfacing. The Soryu class reaches a maximum speed of 24 km/h on the surface and 37 km/h when submerged.

Soryu submarines are equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes with 30 Type 89 heavyweight torpedoes and UGM-84 anti-ship missiles. The submarine can also lay mines to block the straits around Japan, preventing the enemy from deploying landing forces.

Japan also has three Osumi-class landing ships that are about the size of small aircraft carriers, but are not equipped with elevators.and brothelsaircraft. Their mission was to move tanks, armor, and troops between Japan's main islands, providing rapid reinforcements on demand.

The Osumi class can carry 1,400 tons of cargo, 14 Type 10 or Type 90 main battle tanks, and 1,000 troops. Equipped with a flight deck and landing craft air cushion (LCAC), the Osumi can quickly deploy heavy equipment ashore. This capability is especially useful in Japan's new defense strategy, which requires amphibious forces capable of retaking enemy-controlled islands.

The JS Ise landing ship leads the JMSDF destroyers. Photo: Pinterest.

The efficiency and professionalism in combat command also contributed to strengthening the position of the Japanese navy in Asia, clearly demonstrated in the earthquake disaster on March 11, 2011.

As soon as a magnitude 9 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan, Vice Admiral Hiromi Takashima, commander of the Yokosuka Naval District, immediately assumed temporary command of the entire JMSDF, orderingfor all ships in the north to maneuver to the earthquake zone.

The first warship departed just 45 minutes after the earthquake. Seventeen other ships carrying relief supplies departed within 18 hours, some with only partial crews. The timely arrival of this fleet of warships helped Japan significantly overcome the consequences of the terrible earthquake.

"In addition to possessing a large number of modern weapons, the ability to quickly deploy a fleet without prior preparation is considered one of the strengths that helps the Japan Coast Guard demonstrate its superior strength in Asia," Mizokami concluded.

According to VNE