List of combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force explained

This is a list of combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.^[1]

DDH : Destroyer Helicopter

(1973–2011)
(1980–2017)
(2006-present)
(2015-present)

DDG : Guided Missile Destroyer

(DDG-163) (1965–1995)
(1976–2010)
(1986-present)
(1993-present)
(2007-present)
(2020-present)

DD : Destroyer

- former USN destroyers supplied under Mutual Defense Assistance (1954-1970)
- , formerly
- , formerly
- ex-USN (1959-1974)
- , formerly
- , formerly
(1956-1985)
Akizuki class (1960-1993)
(1982-2021)
(1986–present)
Murasame class (1996-present)
(2003–present)
Akizuki class (2012-present)
(2018-present)

DDA : All Purpose Destroyer

Murasame class (1958–1989)
(1967–2003)

DDK : Anti Submarine Destroyer

(1958–1990)
(1966–2005)
(1967–2000)

DE : Destroyer Escort

(1955-1975)
- , formerly
- , formerly
(1956-1976)
(1956-1977)
(1956-1971), former Imperial Japanese Navy ship Nashi
(1961-1993)
(1971-2003)
(1981-2007)
(1983-2010)
(1989-present)

FFM : Frigate Multi-Purpose/Mine

(2022-present)

PF : Patrol Frigate

(1951-1976)

PG : Guided Missile Patrol Boat

(1993-2010)
(2002-present)

SS : Submarine

(1955-1966), formerly
(1960-1976)
(1962-1979)
(1963-1980)
(1965-1981)
(1966-1986)
(1971-1996)
(1980-2008)
(1990-2017)
(1998-present)
(2009-present)
(2022-present)

LST : Tank Landing Ship

(1972-2005)
(1975-2002)
(1998-present)

LCU : Landing Craft Utility

(1988-present)

See also

List of active ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Bibliography

Book: Scheina. Robert L.. Grove. Eric. Chumbley. Stephen . Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 . 1995. Naval Institute Press . Annapolis, Maryland . 1-55750-132-7. amp. Japan . 220–243.

Notes and References

Scheina & Grove, pp. 221–239