Japan completes phase one of 'aircraft carrier' renovation

Kaga ship after phase one upgrade

"The first phase of the special upgrade for the destroyer 'JS Kaga' was completed as planned on March 29. The JMSDF will continue to make necessary systematic adjustments to this Izumo-class ship to achieve F-35B operational capability," according to information on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force account on April 6.

USNI News reported that JS Kaga is the second ship in the Izumo class with a full load displacement of about 27,000 tons and a length of nearly 250 meters. The first ship is JS Izumo.

Originally, this class of ships was designed to carry SH-60 helicopters and take on a central role in anti-submarine warfare operations.

However, in 2018, the Japanese government decided to refit the Izumo-class ships into "aircraft carriers" carrying F-35B squadrons. This is the same direction the US has applied with the Wasp-class (LHD) and America-class (LHA) amphibious assault ships.

To serve its new role, the Izumo class ships will need to change the shape of the bow from the original trapezoidal shape to a square shape, and at the same time, apply heat-resistant coating to the flight deck. Increasing the heat resistance of the flight deck is an important step to allow the deck to withstand the heat generated during vertical landing of the F-35B.

F-35B first tested on JS Izumo in 2021

In 2021, a US-made F-35B took off and landed for the first time on the JS Izumo after the ship completed phase one upgrade.

And the latest development is a landmark for the JMSDF, marking Japan's return to the ability to deploy a fully functional "aircraft carrier" for the first time since World War II.

The move comes as Tokyo buys 42 F-35B fighters to boost its maritime capabilities amid rising tensions in the region.

Japan returns to the aircraft carrier club as Izumo destroyer hosts F-35B

The Izumo-class now has initial aircraft carrier capabilities, marking a strategic shift toward achieving modern air-sea capabilities.

Phase two of the Izumo-class ship renovation project will begin in March 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

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