The massive helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184), the second of only two ships in the Izumo-class of helicopter destroyers, was commissioned into the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on March 22, almost two years after its sister ship, the JS Izumo (DDH-183), joined the fleet.

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Some 500 persons, including ranking members of the Japanese government, the JMSDF and the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), attended the commissioning ceremony at the Japan Marine United shipyard in the port city of Yokohama (Japan's second largest city) near Tokyo.

At the commissioning, Vice Minister of Defense Takayuki Kobayashi said Japan was deeply concerned about China's construction of islands and military bases in the South China Sea, which is claimed by multiple Asian nations.

China, however, claims to own 90 percent of this body of water despite the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12, 2016 declaring the Chinese claim illegal and baseless in international law. China has refused to abide by and accept the court's decision.

"China is attempting to make changes in the South China Sea with bases, and through acts that exert pressure is altering the status quo, raising security concerns among the international community," said Kobayashi.

The addition of the Kaga -- the namesake of one of the four aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy that attacked Pearl Harbor -- brings to four the number of helicopter destroyers in service with the JMSDF.

The other helicopter destroyers (also called helicopter carriers in other navies) are the JS Izumo and the two warships of the Hyūga-class: JS Hyūga (DDH-181) commissioned in 2009 and the JS Ise (DDH-182) commissioned in 2011.

With a full displacement of 27,000 long tons, the Kaga is outfitted primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and carries specialized helicopters for this purpose. Kaga operates a complement of seven Mitsubishi-built SH-60 ASW helicopters and seven AgustaWestland MCM-101 Mine CounterMeasure (MCM) helicopters.

The Kaga's huge size and the expanse of her flight deck, however, means she can easily be modified to operate vertical take-off and landing and short vertical and take-off and landing aircraft.

Among these aircraft are Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and the Bell-Boeing V-22 Ospreys. Both these warplanes are in service with the JSDF.

The Izumo and Kaga can deploy up to 28 aircraft (mostly helicopters) or 14 larger fixed wing aircraft. Both warships are also equipped to carry 400 troops and their equipment.

TagsJS Kaga (DDH-184), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, JMSDF, Japan Self-Defense Force, Vice Minister of Defense Takayuki Kobayashi, International Court of Arbitration, JS Izumo, JS Hyūga, JS Ise