JS Asahi

JS Asahi is the lead ship of the Asahi-class destroyer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Her namesake came from “Morning sun”.

Development

The procurement of the destroyer began in 2013 in response to the reduction in the number of destroyers within the JMSDF. The two major characteristics of this destroyer is its bigger emphasis on anti-submarine warfare and the adoption of the COGLAG propulsion system. A second destroyer was procured a year later.

Construction and career

She was laid down on 4 August 2015 and launched on 19 October 2016. Commissioned on 7 March 2018 with the hull number DD-119.
On 21 May 2022, the Asahi, the JS Makinami, and the replenishment oiler, JS Hamana sighted the PLAN Liaoning carrier strike group going towards Miyako-jima.
On 1 March 2025, Asahi arrived at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a replenishment visit under the command of Commander Shota Takashiro. The vessel departed the island on 3 March 2025 upon completing its mission.
The ship participated in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise with of the Indian Navy between 16 and 18 October 2025. Other Japanese ships, including ' and ', also participated in the exercise. Sahyadri was on an operational deployment to the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific and conducted a port call at the Yokosuka Naval Base.