Izumo-class

The Izumo-class consists of two aircraft-carrying multi-role destroyers operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced plans for the class in 2009 to replace the Shirane-class destroyers. Construction of the lead ship, Izumo, began in 2011 at the IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama, followed by the second vessel, Kaga, in 2013.

The vessels are currently the largest surface combatants in the JMSDF. While officially classified as helicopter-carrying destroyers (DDH), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force reclassified both hulls as aircraft-carrying multi-role escort ships (CVM) in 2025. The ships feature a full-length flight deck with five helicopter landing spots. Internal capacity allows for the transport of 400 troops and 50 3.5-ton trucks. Although initially intended for anti-submarine warfare, peacekeeping, and disaster relief, design provisions for fixed-wing aircraft operations were incorporated from the early stages of development.

Following a 2018 cabinet decision, both vessels are undergoing a two-stage modification process to operate STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II aircraft. These refits include reinforcing the flight deck to withstand the heat and weight of jet exhaust and reconfiguring the trapezoidal bow into a rectangular shape to facilitate safe aircraft operations.

Izumo entered service in March 2015, based at Yokosuka, while Kaga was commissioned in March 2017 and homeported at Kure. In October 2021, two United States Marine Corps F-35Bs conducted the first vertical landings and horizontal take-offs from Izumo, marking the first fixed-wing operations from a Japanese carrier since 1945. British and American F-35Bs operated from Kaga on 8 August 2025 during a trilateral exercise in the Philippine Sea, her first fixed-wing operations, followed by further Marine Corps trials aboard her in June 2026. Kaga completed its initial flight deck modifications, including the rectangular bow conversion, in early 2024. Izumo entered dry dock on 1 November 2024 for the same work and emerged with her rectangular bow in April 2026. Final internal and structural modifications are scheduled for completion by the end of fiscal year 2027 for Izumo, with reporting in 2026 placing the equivalent work on Kaga around March 2029.