Japan takes first steps towards refurbishment of JMSDF destroyer Izumo

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Japan takes first steps towards refurbishment of JMSDF destroyer Izumo - Naval News: 

Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced in its FY2020 defense budget that it will invest 3.1 billion yen (approximately US $ 28.3 million) to refurbish the destroyer Izumo which is the largest vessel in Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).
Yoshihiro Inaba  30 Dec 2019

The purpose of this refurbishment is to give Izumo the operational capabilities of the state-of-the-art STOVL fighter jet, the F-35B.

To begin with, Izumo has been designed to operate the F-35B from the design stage. For example, Izumo’s aircraft elevators are designed to fit the size of the F-35B and to withstand its weight.

As such, the refurbishment, which has been budgeted this time, is intended to complete those capabilities that were originally provided to operate the F-35B.

Specifically, it is assumed that the flight deck will be heat-treated to withstand the high-temperature exhaust heat that the F-35B blows out upon landing, and that the CIWS fitted at the bow might be relocated to another location.

The refurbishment will be phased in during the scheduled repairs of Izumo after 2020, and will probably be done at the Japan Marine United (JMU) facility in Yokohama.........read rest of article


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