Yūbari-class destroyer escort

The Yūbari-class destroyer escort^[a] (or frigate) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is the successor to the Ishikari-class destroyer escort and primarily focused on anti-submarine warfare. The class comprised two ships and were in service from 1983 to 2010. They were followed by the Abukuma class.

This class was based on the design of the predecessor JS Ishikari but was enlarged with improved accommodation and fuel capacity. The ships have a standard displacement of 1,470 metric tons (1,450 long tons) and 1,690 t (1,660 long tons) at full load. They measure 91 meters (298 ft 7 in) long with a beam of 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) and a draft of 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in).^[1] They have a complement of 95 personnel.^[2]

The class retained the CODOG propulsion system consisting of a Rolls-Royce Olympus TM-3B manufactured by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries under license used for boosting, creating 21,200 kilowatts (28,400 shp). The cruising engine is the Mitsubishi/MAN 6DRV 35/44 diesel engine, turning two shafts with controllable pitch propellers creating 3,470 kW (4,650 bhp), reaching a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).^[1][2]

The class is equipped with OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar. They utilize the FCS-2 fire-control system for the 76-millimeter (3.0 in) gun. For electronic support measures, the escorts are equipped with NOLR 6B system. The ships sport the SQS-36J hull-mounted sonar for subsurface targeting. For anti-missile defence, the Yūbaris have two Mk 36 SRBOC six-barrelled chaff launchers.^[2]

This class is equipped with eight Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles as the key weapon system, in two quad launchers. They also mount 76 mm/62 Compact gun.^[2] Provision for a Phalanx CIWS was made in the stern area, although it was never installed.^[1] They are also armed with two triple-mounted HOS-301 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes for Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes.^[2] For anti-submarine defense, the vessels mount a Bofors 375 mm rocket launcher.^[2]

Only two units were ordered, the second in Fiscal Year (FY) 1980–81.^[1] However, a change in policy beginning in 1983 saw the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force change its focus from anti-submarine warfare defense to offshore sea lane and communication defense. As a result, no new hulls were purchased and they were only followed by the larger Abukuma class in FY 1987–88.^[3] Both ships of this class were deployed at the Ominato District Force (home-ported at Mutsu, Aomori). The Ominato District is the northernmost district of the JMSDF and forefront against the Russian Pacific Fleet.

• List of frigates

• Grove, Eric & Scheina, Robert L. (1995). "Japan". In Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 220–245. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
• Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005 (107 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc. ISBN 0-7106-2623-1.
• SOW editorial office (December 2007). "Adieu! Japan's first gas turbine DE "Ishikari"". Ships of the World (in Japanese) (683). Kaijinn-sha: 147–149.