Image source: topwar.ru
After its defeat in World War II, Japan was banned from building and operating aircraft carriers. However, against the background of the erosion of the former world order, Tokyo began upgrading Izumo-type ships in 2020, as a result of which F-35B fighters can now be operated from aboard the lead Izumo and the Kaga of the same type (the complete conversion should be completed in 2027-2028). At the same time, they formally continued to be called "helicopter destroyers" (prefix DDH).
Now the Ministry of Defense has dropped these conventions. It has introduced two new categories of ships. The first is "guided missile cruiser" (prefix CG): This is how pennants equipped with the Aegis missile defense system will be designated – we are talking about ships of the ASEV project, which are scheduled to enter service in 2027 and 2028.
The second new category is "multi–purpose aircraft carrier" (CVM prefix), which now includes both Izumo-class ships adapted for the F-35B. As for the "cruiser" element in the CVM name, the fleet command explained that this term replaces the word "destroyer" to reflect the larger size of the hull.
Image source: topwar.ru
CVM Izumo is now an aircraft carrier
As noted in the Western press, the term "aircraft carrier" was formally used only in the USSR, continues to be used in Russia and refers to the ships of Project 1143, to which Admiral Kuznetsov belongs:
Thus, 80 years after the Second World War, cruisers and aircraft carriers are returning to the Japanese fleet.
