Abukuma-class destroyer escort

General-purpose destroyer escort class in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces

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JS Ōyodo in Maizuru port

Class overview
Builders|

* Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited
* Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Operators|  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by| Yūbari class
Succeeded by| Mogami class
Built| 1988–1991
In commission| 1989–present
Planned| 11
Completed| 6
Cancelled| 5
Active| 6
General characteristics
Type| Destroyer escort
Displacement|

* 2,000 tons standard
* 2,550 tons full load

Length| 357 ft (109 m)
Beam| 44 ft (13 m)
Draft| 12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion|

* CODOG, two shafts
* 2 × Kawasaki-RR SM1A gas turbines 26,650 hp (19,870 kW)
* 2 × Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesels 6,000 hp (4,500 kW)

Speed| 27 knots (50 km/h)
Complement| 120
Sensors &
processing systems|

* OPS-14 air search radar
* OPS-20 marine radar
* OPS-28C low-altitude surveillance/surface surveillance
* FCS-2 fire control system
* Sonar: OQS-8

Electronic warfare
& decoys| NEC NOLR-6B ESM + OLR-3 Jamming
Armament|

* 8 × Harpoon missiles
* ASROC octuple launcher
* 1 × Otobreda 76 mm gun
* 1 × Phalanx 20 mm CIWS
* 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes
* 2 x Mk.137 SRBOC chaff launcher

Notes| [1][2]

The Abukuma-class destroyer escort (or frigate) (Japanese: あぶくま型護衛艦, romanized: Abukuma-gata-goeikan) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is the successor of the earlier Yūbari class.[3] They are being replaced by the Mogami-class frigates.[4]

## History

[edit]

The first Abukama-class destroyer escort ship was first laid down in 1988 and completed in 1989.[5]

## Design

[edit]

Electronic systems on Abukama-class destroyer escorts masts

This class was planned to replace the earlier Isuzu class and possess both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, as the successor of the Chikugo class, and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability, as the successor of the Yūbari class, but there are many enhancements, as follows below.

### Introduction of stealth technology

[edit]

This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology.[5] Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.

### Electronic warfare

[edit]

This is the first destroyer escort class with the Naval Tactical Data System and OYQ-7 combat direction system. It is also the first destroyer escort class which has ECM capability - with the OLT-3 jammer.

### Weapon systems

[edit]

The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun, controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system, and a Phalanx CIWS. The OPS-14 is the Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-49 radar, and the OPS-28 is the equivalent of the American TAS Mk.23. Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles. Mk.31 RAM GMWS Point Defense Missile System was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS), and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes. A tactical towed-array sonar system was planned, but it is not installed yet.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class; ultimately, only six were built because Hatsuyuki-class destroyers started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels in this class are named after Japanese rivers.

## Export

[edit]

On July 6, 2025, the Philippine Navy reported the possible transfer of the Abukama-class destroyers to the Philippines.[6] It is expected that more or less 6 ships will be transferred if they are found to be in good condition. A status check visit is scheduled for the summer of 2025, at which time the Philippine side hopes to identify at least five vessels[7] subject to inspection once PN sailors visit Japan.[8] The transfer was based on an agreement during a bilateral meeting in Singapore in June 2025.[9] The Yomiuri Shimbun suggests that equipment previously installed in the Abukuma-class destroyers can be changed if needed to meet PN requirements.[10]

## Ships in the class

[edit]

Pennant no. | Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Home port  | Status

|
|
|
|
|
|

DE-229 | Abukuma | 17 March 1988 | 21 December 1988  | 12 December 1989 | Kure | Active
DE-230 | Jintsū | 14 April 1988 | 31 January 1989  | 28 February 1990 | Sasebo | Active
DE-231 | Ōyodo | 8 March 1989 | 19 December 1989  | 23 January 1991 | Ominato | Active
DE-232 | Sendai | 14 April 1989 | 26 January 1990  | 15 March 1991 | Maizuru | Active
DE-233 | Chikuma | 14 February 1991 | 25 January 1992  | 24 February 1993 | Ominato  | Active
DE-234 | Tone | 8 February 1991 | 6 December 1991  | 8 February 1993 | Kure  | Active

## See also

[edit]

* List of naval ship classes in service

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "Abukuma class Destroyer Escort - DE".
2. ^ "護衛艦「あぶくま」型" (in Japanese). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
3. ^ "Abukuma Class Destroyer Escorts". Naval Technology. Archived from the original on 2013-04-27. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
4. ^ Fish, Tim (2022-04-11). "Japan Countering China's Naval Build-up with Modern Fleet". USNI News. Archived from the original on 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
5. ^ a b Hideki Kaihoshi (2021-11-20). "「あぶくま」型、汎用護衛艦並みの強力な装備を持つ沿岸用護衛艦" (in Japanese). Motor Fan.
6. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (2025-07-06). "PH Navy confirms 'possible transfer' of Abukuma destroyer escorts". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
7. ^ Mangosing, Frances (2025-07-06). "Japan in talks to transfer warships, surveillance aircraft to the Philippines". Naval News. Archived from the original on 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
8. ^ Rex Espiritu (2025-07-06). "Japan to transfer used anti-sub destroyers to PH". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
9. ^ "Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri reports". Reuters. 2025-07-06. Archived from the original on 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
10. ^ "フィリピンに護衛艦を輸出へ、中国への抑止力強化に初の事例…中古の「あぶくま型」全６隻" (in Japanese). The Yomiuri Shimbun. 2025-07-06.

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abukuma class frigates.

* Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006[unused reference]
* Wertheim, Eric (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. pp. 385–386\. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.[unused reference]

* v
* t
* e

Abukuma-class destroyer escorts

* Abukuma
* Jintsū
* Ōyodo
* Sendai
* Chikuma
* Tone

* Preceded by: Yubari class
* Followed by: None

* List of destroyer escorts of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

* v
* t
* e

Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Helicopter Destroyer (DDH)|

* Haruna
* Shirane
* Hyūga
* Izumo

Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG)|

* Amatsukaze
* Tachikaze
* Hatakaze
* Kongō
* Atago
* Maya

Destroyer (DD)|

* Asakaze (Gleaves)
* Ariake (Fletcher)
* Harukaze
* Akizuki (1959)
* Hatsuyuki
* Asagiri
* Murasame (1994)
* Takanami
* Akizuki (2010)
* Asahi

All Purpose Destroyer (DDA)|

* Murasame (1958)
* Takatsuki

Anti Submarine Destroyer (DDK)|

* Ayanami
* Yamagumo
* Minegumo

Destroyer Escort (DE)|

* Wakaba (Matsu)
* Asahi (Cannon)
* Akebono
* Ikazuchi
* Isuzu
* Chikugo
* Ishikari
* Yūbari
* Abukuma

Frigate Multi-Purpose/Mine (FFM)|

* Mogami

Patrol Frigate (PF)|

* Kusu (Tacoma)

Submarine (SS)|

* Kuroshio (Gato)
* Oyashio
* Hayashio
* Natsushio
* Ōshio
* Asashio
* Uzushio
* Yūshio
* Harushio
* Oyashio
* Sōryū
* Taigei

Ocean Minehunters/Minesweepers (MHS)|

* Yaeyama
* Awaji

Minesweeper Tenders (MST)|

* Nasami
* Miho
* Hayatomo
* Hayase
* Uraga

Minelayers (MMC)|

* Erimo
* Sōya

Coastal Minehunters/Minesweepers (MHC/MSC)|

* Ujishima
* Atada
* Yashiro
* Kasado
* Takami
* Hatsushima
* Uwajima
* Sugashima
* Harishima
* Enoshima

Amphibious Warfare (LST/LCU)|

* Ōsumi (LST-542)
* Atsumi
* Miura
* Yura
* LCU-2001
* Ōsumi

Diving Support Vessel (YDT)|

* YDT-01

Cable Laying Ship (ARC)|

* Tsugaru
* Muroto (1979)
* Muroto (2012)

Yacht (ASY)|

* Hashidate

Research Ship (AGS/AOS)|

* Akashi
* Futami
* Hibiki
* Nichinan
* Shōnan

Replenishment Ship (AO/AOE)|

* Hamana
* Sagami
* Towada
* Mashū

Patrol boat (PG)|

* PG 01 (Sparviero)
* Hayabusa

Submarine chaser (PC)|

* Kari
* Kamome
* Hayabusa
* Umitaka
* Mizutori

Training ship (TV/ATS/TSS)|

* Azuma
* Hatsuyuki
* Hatakaze
* Oyashio
* Kurobe
* Tenryū
* Kashima

Submarine rescue ship (ASR/AS)|

* Chihaya (1960)
* Fushimi
* Chiyoda (1983)
* Chihaya (1998)
* Chiyoda (2016)

Experimental ship (ASE)|

* Kurihama
* Asuka

Icebreaker (AGB)|

* Fuji
* Shirase (1981)
* Shirase (2008)

* List of combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
* List of ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy

* v
* t
* e

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding

Products|

* Abukuma-class destroyer escort
* Etorofu-class escort ship
* Hiuchi-class support ship
* JS Hiuchi
* Mitsui 56 series
* Ōsumi-class tank landing ship
* Shimushu-class escort ship
* W-7 Class minesweeper (W-7)

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