Group : Frigates
Status : Active
Also Known As : 25DD
Origin : Japan
Contractor : Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : March 7, 2018
Total Production : 2

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Asahi, formerly known as 25DD, is an advanced multi-purpose destroyer, actually a frigate, featuring higher fuel efficiency and improved capability to detect submarines. The 5,000-ton Asahi class destroyers are the replacement for the Hatsuyuki class frigates and feature stealth design and the FCS-3A active phased array multifunctional radar system. The ship’s design is based upon the 19DD/Azikuki class destroyer to provide additional savings for the JMSDF with a lower development and acquisition cost. The ships are expected to growth in the near future adding new weapon systems and sensors currently under development. So far, the JMSDF has ordered two ships to be build by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to be commissioned in the 2018-2019 timeframe. The lead ship started sea trials in July 2017 and is expected to be commissioned in March 2018.

The Asahi class destroyer propulsion system consists of two General Electric (GE) LM2500 gas turbines connected to two 2.5MW electric motors in a Combined Gas turbine eLectric and Gas turbine (COGLAG) layout. This arrangement provides enough electrical power and efficiency to supply future weapon systems. The weapon system includes 32 Mk-41 vertical launching systems (VLS) for ESSM missiles and VL-ASROC rockets. The ship is also equipped with a 127mm naval gun, eight Type 90 anti-ship missiles and two triple torpedo tubes. The Asahi-class is a multipurpose ship with the focus placed on the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities. The sonar suite includes the OQQ-24 hull-mounted sonar and the OQR-4 variable depth sonar. The FCS-3A multifunctional radar features GaN active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology.