Japan launched their latest warship today in Yokohama, the 13,500 ton (18,000 tons at full load) "Helicopter Destroyer" JDS Hyuga (DDH 181). The first noticeable feature is this is the largest warship operated by Japan since World War II. The second noticeable feature is this isn't actually a destroyer anywhere except Japan.Paragraph 2 of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution states "the right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized." In that spirit JDS Hyuga (DDH 181) will deploy three SH-60J and one MCH-101, although it is reported to have the capacity for 11 helicopters, and can fully support the large CH-53E if necessary.
Payload includes a 16 cell MK41 with 64 ESSMs enabled by the a Thales missile control module and the Mitsubishi FCS-3 radar. With an expected crew around 350, the JDS Hyuga (DDH 181) is designed to be a flagship for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces, providing command and control capabilities to the fleet while using its organic helicopters to support ASW and MIW operations, or operations other than war.
While not an official aircraft carrier, JDS Hyuga (DDH 181) is about as close as it gets without a constitutional amendment.
Update 1: More photo's posted online here.
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