Abukuma class destroyer escort

Class overview

Operators:	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by:	Yubari class destroyer escort
Built:	1988–1991
In commission:	1989–
Completed:	6
General characteristics
Class and type:	Abukuma class destroyer escort / frigate
Displacement:	2,000 tons standard 2,550 tons full load
Length:	357 ft (109 m)
Beam:	44 ft (13 m)
Draft:	12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion:	CODOG 2 × Spey SM1A gas turbines 26,650 hp (19.9 MW) 2 × Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesels 6,000 hp (4.4 MW) two shafts
Speed:	27 knots (50 km/h)
Complement:	120
Armament:	• 8 × Harpoon missiles • ASROC octuple launcher • 1 × Otobreda 76 mm • 1 × Phalanx 20 mm CIWS • 1 × 375 mm (14.8 in) ASW rocket launcher • 2 × triple 324 mm (12.8 in) Mk 32 ASW torpedo tubes

The Abukuma class destroyer escort (or frigate) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is the successor of the earlier Yubari class. The main mission for these ships are ASW and Anti-Surface Warfare operations. The addition of the Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved self-defense capability against anti-ship missiles.

[edit] Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port
DE-229	Abukuma	17 March 1988	21 December 1988	12 December 1989	Maizuru
DE-230	Jintsu	14 April 1988	31 January 1989	28 February 1990	Ominato
DE-231	Ohyodo ^[1]	8 March 1989	19 December 1989	23 January 1991	Sasebo
DE-232	Sendai	14 April 1989	26 January 1990	15 March 1991	Sasebo
DE-233	Chikuma	14 February 1991	25 January 1992	24 February 1993	Ominato
DE-234	Tone	8 February 1991	6 December 1991	8 February 1993	Sasebo