Japan is converting its 2 biggest warships into aircraft carriers; US Marines are helping train them

[Dial H For Hero]

https://www.businessinsider.com/marine-corps-f35bs-landed-on-japans-converted-aircraft-carrier-izumo-2021-10

As China increases the size and capability of its military, Japan has responded by adapting its Self-Defense Force to meet what it sees as a growing threat.

Japan has created its first amphibious military unit since World War II and launched a new class of high-tech frigates, and it's restructuring its tank force to be lighter and more mobile and building up its missile capabilities.

Perhaps the most eye-opening move, though, is the conversion of its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers into dedicated aircraft carriers.

On Sunday, two US Marine Corps F-35Bs landed on and took off from the deck of the Izumo, the lead ship of the class - the first time a fixed-wing aircraft has operated from a Japanese carrier in 75 years.

(excerpt)

[Amishman]

1. they were clearly built with this already in mind

sounds like we are more training them how to use them as such.

Good, China isn't our friend - and we need our real friends to be ready if our worst fears are realized.

Joe also has some of our people in Taiwan quietly training them as well, which I also wholeheartedly support.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

12. Yep

I remember when they were first revealed that people were saying those were clearly designed for F35's in mind.

[Saboburns]

2. $5 says they won't ever sail within 500 miles of Midway Island.

"Scratch four flat tops."

[FBaggins]

8. Certainly not the second ship in the class

nt

[Volaris]

24. I see what you did there lol...

[roamer65]

3. Reconstruction of the Japanese Imperial Navy.

We are going to let Japan rearm as a counter force to China.

So far I am guessing this will be the Asia/Pacific alliance against China.

Japan
United States
Australia
Taiwan
India
Vietnam

(President Biden met with Modi the other day in the WH and discussed China.)

[Aristus]

11. Any chance we could get Indonesia?

China is not treating its Muslim minority very well.

[roamer65]

15. Wouldn't surprise me.

Last edited Fri Oct 8, 2021, 11:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Vietnam should worry the Chinese.

The Vietnamese kicked their asses in 1979 when China tried to invade in retaliation for the Vietnamese doing the world a favor and toppling Pol Pot in Cambodia.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. I thought they fought to a draw though China was expecting a cakewalk

[Klaralven]

14. India is a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

India considers itself a major player and will pursue its own interests.

China and India are actually not much of a threat to each other. The mountains are high and the jungles are deep.

[roamer65]

16. Kashmir.

Specifically the Ladakh region of it.

Also in the Sikkim region to the east.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-chinese-troops-clashed-in-north-sikkim-last-week-officials-101611556633254.html

[Klaralven]

17. I think the Indians are resigned to Chinese control of Aksai Chin

After all, the Chinese withdrew from their gains in both Kashmir and Arunchal Pradesh in '62. The Indians basically lost that war, and the border has been largely quiet ever since.

The Kashmir dispute is with Pakistan.

[roamer65]

18. Ladakh is in the Kashmir region.

They had a skirmish there a few months back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020–2021_China–India_skirmishes

[Klaralven]

19. Fairly minor and tamped down again.

Compared with tensions with Pakistan.

[roamer65]

20. Pakistan and India.

Always the potential for

Two nuclear powers.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. You forgot the Philippines.

[unc70]

4. F-35B can do vertical takeoff and landing

Also short takeoff. They do not require much of a traditional carrier. No catapult, no hook for landing.

[Klaralven]

13. And it has less weapons load, shorter range, poorer performance than the F-35C carrier version.

[Tetrachloride]

5. Taiwan's ground forces have had 3 divisions in the western flat lands and 1 in the mountains of the

of the east.

The port city of Kaohsiung (spellings vary) and Tainan would be a target first.

Japan is mainly hills and mountains.

[roamer65]

9. *IF* China makes a move against Taiwan...

I fully expect them to give NK the “go” for lighting up the 38th parallel.

Diversionary tactic to bog the US down, IF Kim Jong Crazy decides to do it.

[hardluck]

6. Izumo's sister ship is the Kaga.

Same name as one of the famed Kidō Butai carriers that participated in the Pearl Harbor attack and was later sunk during the battle of Midway. So fascinating.

[roamer65]

7. Bet they eventually use Hiryu, Soryu, etc, etc.

[Angleae]

22. Soryu is currently in service. She is, however, a submarine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JS_Sōryū_(SS-501)

[roamer65]

23. Akagi?

[hardluck]

26. Ships in next class could be named the Shōkaku and Zuikaku

Make them along the lines of HMS Queen Elizabeth. Really get the party started.

[Angleae]

31. They don't seem to have any interest in building more.

They needed four replacement helicopter destroyers to replace the Harauna and Shirane classes, so they built four (2 Hyuga, 2 Izumo).

[hatrack]

21. There's a blast from the past (pun intended)

[roamer65]

29. Very true.

[hatrack]

30. Weird though - like the Deutsche Marine naming a new frigate the Tirpitz . . . .

[sarisataka]

10. If they really want to send China a message

They can call the carrier group the Kidō Butai.

The IJN, excuse me- JMSDF, has already resumed using the rising sun flag.

[Sgent]

25. This looks like

they are converting their helicopter carriers / amphibious assault carriers into light carriers as we have done with the WASP class.

[Kaleva]

27. They were built to handle the F35bs

The hangers and lifts were designed from the beginning to be able to handle F35bs. They just classified these ships as helicopter carriers for political reasons

[roamer65]

28. I have seen talk of the Japanese building a supercarrier.

Maybe it’s not just “talk”.