Japan Converts its Destroyer JS Hatakaze into Training Vessel

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has converted its Hatakaze-class destroyer JS Hatakaze into a training vessel, on March 19.

The ship is now designated as JS Hatakaze (TV-3520). Her earlier designation was DDG-171.

Hatakaze was converted to a training ship following the commissioning of first-of-class Maya-class guided-missile destroyer, JS Maya (DDG-179). She will be now part of JMSDF’s training fleet.

3月19日、「はたかぜ」は、護衛艦「まや」の就役に伴い、艦種が練習艦に変わり、練習艦隊所属となりました。新しい艦番号は「3520」であり、練習艦に変わるべく改修中です。「はたかぜ」は昭和61年3月以来、防空の中枢として、第一線で活躍していましたが、今後は隊員教育を主任務として活躍します。 pic.twitter.com/Ol382qrciK

— 防衛省 海上自衛隊 (@JMSDF_PAO) March 23, 2020

JS Hatakaze (DDG-171) was one of the two Hatakaze-class guided-missile destroyers that were commissioned into the JMSDF. She was laid down on the 20 May 1983 in Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki. She was launched on 9 November 1984 and commissioned on 27 March 1986.

Hatakaze class is a class of third-generation destroyers in service with the JMSDF. They were the first of the JMSDF’s ships to have gas-turbine propulsion.

The core weapon suite is similar to that of the preceding Tachikaze class, but various improvements were made in many areas. Most notable are those that allow the Hatakaze class to function as a group flagship/command ship.

Hatakaze destroyers operate the OYQ-4-1 type tactical control system. Its weapon systems include the Standard missile surface-to-air missile (SAM), anti-submarine rockets, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile (AShM), two Mark 15 20 mm Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) gun mounts, two torpedo mounts in a triple tube configuration and two 5 inch/54 caliber Mark 42 rapid-fire guns.

The second of two vessels in the class is JS Shimakaze (DDG-172).