Anti-submarine power of Japanese warship visiting Vietnam
On March 6, the warships JS Setoyuki (TV-3518) and JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force docked at Tien Sa port for a courtesy visit to Da Nang city.
Speaking at the ceremony, Colonel Nakagama Yoshiyuki, Commander of Japan's Training Unit No. 1, said: "Our mission is to train officers and trainees with the skills and knowledge of international seafaring that officers of the defense force need to have.
In addition, we will participate in sports exchanges with the Vietnam Navy, visit famous landscapes and relics in the area... We are very happy to come to this beautiful city of Da Nang," said Colonel Nakagama Yoshiyuki.
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| Japanese warships visit Da Nang. |
Although they are training ships and escort ships, the three Japanese ships currently visiting Da Nang are fully equipped with heavy weapons and equipment to carry out combat missions. Specifically, the JS Setoyuki (TV-3518) and JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) were originally Hatsuyuki-class destroyers.
Ships of this class are equipped with a powerful weapon system to perform anti-surface, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine missions at close and medium ranges. The ship is equipped with two RGM-84 Harpoon subsonic anti-ship cruise missile launchers with a range of 130km, along with 76mm naval guns.
The stern of the ship is equipped with a landing pad for the SH-60J anti-submarine helicopter, and below is a Mark 29 launcher using RIM-7 Sea Sparrow medium-range air defense missiles. The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow air defense missile can reach a range of up to 19km and is designed to shoot down aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.
Regarding the anti-submarine weapon system, Isoyuki is equipped with RUR-5 ARSOC anti-submarine rocket launcher with a range of 19km (equipped with Mark 46 lightweight torpedoes or high explosive warheads). In addition, the ship is also equipped with 2 324mm torpedo launchers.
It is known that the Mk 46 is a lightweight anti-submarine torpedo that plays a backbone role in the US Navy and many allied countries, and can be equipped on surface warships and anti-submarine patrol aircraft.
From the Mk 46 Mod 0 variant produced in 1963 to the current Mk 46 Mod 5 is a long process of continuous development.
The Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedo weighs 231 kg; is 2.59 m long; has a diameter of 324 mm; has a range of 11 km; has a speed of 74 km/h; has a maximum operating depth of 365 m; and carries a 44 kg HE warhead. When fired, the Mk 46 torpedo is propelled out of the launch tube by compressed air energy.
Although classified as light torpedoes, the MK 46s on Japanese warships were considered capable of sinking even heavy warships with just a single shot.
