Abukuma-class destroyer escort
The Abukuma-class destroyer escort is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is the successor of the earlier. They are being replaced by the s.
History
The first Abukuma-class destroyer escort ship was first laid down in 1988 and completed in 1989.Design
This class was planned to replace the earlier and possess both anti-submarine warfare capability, as the successor of the, and anti-surface warfare capability, as the successor of the Yūbari class, but there are many enhancements, as follows below.Introduction of stealth technology
This class is the first combatant ship of the JMSDF with stealth technology. Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.Electronic warfare
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
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, ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher, and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 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 s started deploying in distinct forces. All six vessels in this class are named after Japanese rivers.
Export
On 6 July 2025, the Philippine Navy reported the possible transfer of the Abukuma-class to the Philippines. It is expected that more or less six 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 subject to inspection once PN sailors visit Japan. The transfer was based on an agreement during a bilateral meeting in Singapore in June 2025. The Yomiuri Shimbun suggests that equipment previously installed on the Abukuma-class can be changed if needed to meet PN requirements.On 8 October 2025, the PN reported that they are currently considering the acquisition of three out of six decommissioned Abukuma-class ships.