Combat capabilities of the pair of Japanese destroyers about to visit Vietnam

The pair of Japanese destroyers about to visit Vietnam are both powerful missile ships with effective anti-submarine and anti-ship capabilities.

Japanese destroyer Ariake DD-109. Photo: Gentlesaes

On April 3, two Japanese destroyers, the Ariake DD-109 and Setogiri DD-156 (called defense escort ships by Japan), docked at Subic port, beginning an official visit to the Philippines. Later, also in April, these two Japanese destroyers will visit Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam for the first time, according to AFP.

The Ariake (Sunset) DD-109 is the newest of the nine Murasame-class destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), commissioned on March 6, 2002.

Ariake is 151 m long, 17.4 m wide, has a displacement of 6,100 tons when fully loaded, and a crew of 165. In appearance, Ariake has a completely new design compared to previous Japanese warships. The hull is divided into 15 separate watertight compartments, helping to minimize the possibility of the ship sinking when a compartment is hit by enemy fire.

According toNaval Technology,Because it belongs to the Murasame class of multi-purpose ships, which were designed to perform many missions such as anti-submarine defense, anti-surface warfare and air defense, the Ariake possesses a fairly powerful weapons and electronic warfare system.

Japanese submarine, destroyer visit Philippines' Subic port

In terms of anti-submarine capabilities, Ariake is equipped with the VLS Mk-41 mod vertical launch system, using RUM-139 VL ASROC solid-fuel anti-submarine missiles with inertial guidance.In addition to missiles, the ship also has two torpedo launchers with three launch tubes using Mk46 torpedoes with a range of 11 km and an operating depth of 365 m.

In addition, the OYQ-103 ASWCS anti-submarine warfare control system with the main sensor being the OQS-5 sonar system can detect the sounds of enemy submarines from a distance of 200 km, posing a significant threat to any submarine.

To deal with air targets, Ariake is equipped with 16 Mk48 vertical launch tubes equipped with RIM-162 ESSM sea-to-air missiles with a range of 50 km carrying a 39 kg warhead. The AESA OPS-24 active electronically scanned array air defense radar is mounted on a platform at the front of the mast, allowing Ariake to detect 50-60 targets at the same time, with a target detection range of 200 km.

For sea targets, Ariake uses eight Type-90 SSM-1B anti-ship missiles with a range of 200 km, a 76 mm Oto Melara multi-purpose gun with a maximum range of 15 km, along with an OPS-28 surface target search radar system and Japan's modern NOLQ-3 integrated electronic warfare system.

Japanese destroyer Setogiri DD-156. Photo: Gentlesaes

Setogiri DD-156 was the seventh of eight Asagiri-class destroyers commissioned into the MSDF in 1990.

Setogiri is 137 m long, 14.6 m wide, has a displacement of 4,800 tons at full load, and a crew of 220.

The Setogiri is equipped with a more advanced C4I intelligent control system and satellite navigation system than previous ships of the same class. The ship's funnels are arranged on both sides, and the ship's mast is shifted to the left, helping to reduce the impact of hot exhaust gases on the antenna of the navigation radar station and other electronic equipment.

Designed specifically for anti-submarine and anti-ship missions, Setorigi was also equipped with firepower and electronic equipment no less powerful than Ariake, although the anti-aircraft weapon system was not given much attention.

In terms of anti-submarine warfare, Setogirri is equipped with Mk-16 ASROC anti-submarine missile launchers, Mk-32 torpedo launchers, and the OYQ-6 sonar system accompanied by the OQR-1 towed sonar system. This system has the same sensitivity as the Ariake's OYQ-103 ASWCS system with the ability to detect targets within a range of 200 km.

To destroy enemy warships, Setogiri uses a weapons system consisting of 8 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers with a range of up to 130 km, a 76 mm gun complex and an OPS-28 surface reconnaissance radar system similar to the American Mk-32 search radar.

According to VNE