The Shirane-class destroyers were a pair of Japanese destroyers originally built during the late 1970s. They are built around a large central hangar which houses up to three helicopters and they are the natural successor of the Haruna-class destroyers.
![]() Kurama (DDH-144) at sea in 2011 | |
Class overview | |
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Name | Shirane-class destroyer |
Builders | Ishikawajima-Harima, Tokyo |
Operators | ![]() |
Preceded by | Haruna-class destroyer |
Succeeded by | Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer |
Built | 1977–1981 |
In commission | 1980–2017 |
Planned | 2 |
Completed | 2 |
Retired | 2 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Destroyer |
Displacement |
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Length | 159 m (522 ft) |
Beam | 17.5 m (57 ft 5 in) |
Draft | 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 31 knots (36 mph; 57 km/h) |
Complement |
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Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys |
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Armament |
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Aircraft carried | 3 × SH-60J(K) anti-submarine helicopters |
The Shirane class incorporates an improved design based on the Haruna-class destroyers. The ships propulsion include two steam boilers with two shafts that produce 70.000 hp and gives a maximum speed of 32 knots.
Its armament includes two Mk.42 127mm guns, two 20-mm Phalanx close-in weapon systems, one Surface-to-air RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launcher, torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets.[1] The ships has been replaced by the new Izumo-class helicopter destroyers.
Pennant no. | Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Home port |
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DDH-143 | Shirane | 25 February 1977 | 18 September 1978 | 17 March 1980 | 25 March 2015 | Yokosuka |
DDH-144 | Kurama | 17 February 1978 | 20 September 1979 | 27 March 1981 | 22 March 2017 | Sasebo |
On December 15, 2007, a fire broke out on board Shirane near the rudder house as it was anchored at Yokosuka. It took seven hours to extinguish the fire, which injured four crew members.[2]
On 27 October 2009, JS Kurama collided with a South Korean container ship under the Kanmonkyo Bridge in the Kanmon Straits off the coast of Japan.[3] While neither ship sunk, the bow of Kurama was badly damaged and burned for hours. Three Kurama crew members were reported injured.[4]
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Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | |
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Helicopter Destroyer (DDH) | |
Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) | |
Destroyer (DD) | |
All Purpose Destroyer (DDA) | |
Anti Submarine Destroyer (DDK) | |
Destroyer Escort (DE) | |
Frigate Multi-Purpose/Mine (FFM) |
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Patrol Frigate (PF) |
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Submarine (SS) |
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Ocean Minehunters/Minesweepers (MHS) |
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Minesweeper Tenders (MST) |
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Minelayers (MMC) |
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Coastal Minehunters/Minesweepers (MHC/MSC) |
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Amphibious Warfare (LST/LCU/LCS/LCI) |
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Diving Support Vessel (YDT) |
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Cable Laying Ship (ARC) |
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Yacht (ASY) |
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Research Ship (AGS/AOS) |
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Replenishment Ship (AO/AOE) |
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Patrol boat (PG) |
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Submarine chaser (PC) |
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Training ship (TV/ATS/TSS) | |
Submarine rescue ship (ASR/AS) |
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Experimental ship (ASE) |
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Icebreaker (AGB) |
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