Image source: topwar.ru
The launching ceremony of the ninth Mogami-class frigate took place in Nagasaki. Like other ships in this series, it was named after the river Natori.
Samurai are actively reviving once-lost traditions. The ships receive the names of light cruisers of the World War II period. There will be a total of 12 units in the series, and the next one is already planned — "improved Mogami". A total of 24 buildings.
At a price comparable to the Chinese Type 54A, the Japanese ship is much weaker. The pace of construction of the type 54A is respected — they are much higher than the Japanese ones. In addition, the number of ships of this type is much larger.
There are also photos of four frigates, the type of which has not yet been determined. They are called both 54B and Type 56, which in size and characteristics are already closer to Type 52 destroyers than to Type 54A frigates. We will find out later how many of them there will be and what tasks the new ships will be "sharpened" for.
For destroyers, the ratio is also not in favor of the Land of the Rising Sun. Officially, 39 destroyers are in service, and three more, listed in the training category, can be quickly put into operation. However, this does not improve the situation much, since there are not so many ships of new projects.
Although samurai consider Hatsuyuki and Asagiri to be in the destroyer class, in fact they are PLO frigates in terms of displacement and characteristics. In addition, there are no old ATVs on them, which significantly reduces the functionality. Single- and double-girder PU are "sharpened" for a specific type of missile defense system (RCC), and no other options are expected.
I propose to consider Japanese destroyers, starting with the Congo type, relatively old analogues of the Arly Bjork and later 14 units of the Murasame and Takanami, similar in their characteristics. A significant difference: There are still old American Mk.48 ATVs on the Murasame, which do not allow the use of all anti-aircraft missiles (RCC) in service with the United States (NATO).
"Atago" and "Ashigara" correspond in their characteristics to the "advanced" versions of "Arly Bjork". And the four types of Akizuki are an improved version of Takanami.
Aircraft carriers such as Hyuga and Izumo will be considered as aircraft carriers, although the Japanese call them destroyers for "disguise". Although there is not much to consider. Four incomprehensible "hybrids" are either a UDC with the functions of a very light aircraft carrier, or a light aircraft carrier with the ability to transport and land a certain number of Marines. Why the Japanese built them seems to be a mystery to them.
There is no point in comparing them in number and quality with Chinese aircraft carriers and UDC, especially if we also take into account the new, as yet unknown UDC, which is conventionally called Type 076. The advantage of the Chinese is absolute.
In total, we have 18 destroyers similar in characteristics to the Chinese type 52 B, C. And four analogues of the Chinese type 52 D. Only now there are already 28 Chinese 52 D in service, and the growth rate is simply "Stakhanovite". In addition, it has already been said that four Type 54 B frigates are on the way, which, according to their characteristics, are likely to be closer to the Type 52 and more powerful than the old Japanese destroyers. And ten more Chinese Type 055, although they are already "classified" as cruisers.
It is very difficult to make any comparisons with submarines. The Chinese have maples, the Japanese don't. The technical characteristics of the new Chinese DPLS are classified, general data about the Japanese ones are also without specifics. We can only say that there are a lot more Chinese.
This is the ratio of the main classes. It is clear that the samurai are hoping for an "older" brother from overseas. And to make this hope look convincing, since the 70s, an aircraft carrier of the so-called "forward-based" has been constantly present in Japan. "Ronald Reagan" will be replaced by "George Bush" approximately in September-October. However, the "older" brother is a very slippery ally. There are countless examples when they swore eternal friendship, and then "threw" it.
