Japanese navy commissions second Izumo-class helicopter carrier | IHS Jane's 360

COMMENT
Since the Izumo class appeared there has been much comment that the design provides the JMSDF with a potential entry into fixed-wing carrier aviation, although this has been denied by Japanese officials.

There has been speculation that the Izumo class will operate the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter but as the ships have neither catapults nor ski-jumps, and the aircraft on order are not the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, this seems misplaced.

Reflecting the territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, Japan increasingly sees the need to develop its amphibious capabilities, so the ships are likely to operate Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Japan currently has 17 of these on order, with first deliveries expected by mid-2018. The aircraft would also be used in disaster relief operations.

First-of-class Izumo is due to deploy in May to participate in the joint 'Malabar' exercise with the Indian and US navies in the Indian Ocean. It is also expected to make port visits in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka in an effort to counter the growing Chinese presence in the region. An anticipated exercise with US ships in the South China Sea has already drawn sharp criticism from China, which has accused Japan of "stirring up trouble".

There is an increasing number of carriers being operated in the Asia-Pacific region.

China's second short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) aircraft carrier is under construction in Dalian and is expected to be launched soon.

There has been much speculation that China also plans to build a helicopter-carrying amphibious assault ship, although there is no indication that construction is under way yet.

The Republic of Korea commissioned its first helicopter carrier, Dokdo , in 2007 and a second ship is planned.