Abukuma-class destroyer escort

The Abukuma-class destroyer escort (or frigate) (Japanese: あぶくま型護衛艦, romanized: Abukuma-gata-goeikan) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It is the successor of the earlier Yūbari class. They are being replaced by the Mogami-class frigates.

Infobox

Builders

Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Operators

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Preceded by

Yūbari class

Succeeded by

Mogami class

Built

1988–1991

In commission

1989–present

Planned

Completed

Canceled

Active

Type

Destroyer escort

Displacement

2,000 tons standard 2,550 tons full load

Length

357 ft (109 m)

Beam

44 ft (13 m)

Draft

12 ft (3.7 m)

Propulsion

CODOG, two shafts 2 × Kawasaki-RR SM1A gas turbines 26,650 hp (19,870 kW) 2 × Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesels 6,000 hp (4,500 kW)

Speed

27 knots (50 km/h)

Complement

120

Sensors &processing systems

OPS-14 air search radar OPS-20 marine radar OPS-28C low-altitude surveillance/surface surveillance FCS-2 fire control system Sonar: OQS-8

Electronic warfare& decoys

NEC NOLR-6B ESM OLR-3 Jamming

Armament

8 × Harpoon missiles ASROC octuple launcher 1 × Otobreda 76 mm gun 1 × Phalanx 20 mm CIWS 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes 2 x Mk.137 SRBOC chaff launcher

Tables

· Ships in the class

Abukuma

Pennant no.

DE-229

Name

Abukuma

Laid down

17 March 1988

Launched

21 December 1988

Commissioned

12 December 1989

Home port

Kure

Status

Active

Jintsū

Pennant no.

DE-230

Name

Jintsū

Laid down

14 April 1988

Launched

31 January 1989

Commissioned

28 February 1990

Home port

Sasebo

Status

Active

Ōyodo

Pennant no.

DE-231

Name

Ōyodo

Laid down

8 March 1989

Launched

19 December 1989

Commissioned

23 January 1991

Home port

Ominato

Status

Active

Sendai

Pennant no.

DE-232

Name

Sendai

Laid down

14 April 1989

Launched

26 January 1990

Commissioned

15 March 1991

Home port

Maizuru

Status

Active

Chikuma

Pennant no.

DE-233

Name

Chikuma

Laid down

14 February 1991

Launched

25 January 1992

Commissioned

24 February 1993

Home port

Ominato

Status

Active

Tone

Pennant no.

DE-234

Name

Tone

Laid down

8 February 1991

Launched

6 December 1991

Commissioned

8 February 1993

Home port

Kure

Status

Active

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port	Status
DE-229	Abukuma	17 March 1988	21 December 1988	12 December 1989	Kure	Active
DE-230	Jintsū	14 April 1988	31 January 1989	28 February 1990	Sasebo	Active
DE-231	Ōyodo	8 March 1989	19 December 1989	23 January 1991	Ominato	Active
DE-232	Sendai	14 April 1989	26 January 1990	15 March 1991	Maizuru	Active
DE-233	Chikuma	14 February 1991	25 January 1992	24 February 1993	Ominato	Active
DE-234	Tone	8 February 1991	6 December 1991	8 February 1993	Kure	Active

References

"Abukuma class Destroyer Escort - DE"
https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Japan-Maritime-Self-Defense-Force/Destroyer-Escort/Abukuma-class.htm
"護衛艦「あぶくま」型"
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/de/abukuma/
Naval Technology
https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/abukuma-class/
USNI News
https://news.usni.org/2022/04/11/japan-countering-chinas-naval-build-up-with-modern-fleet
"「あぶくま」型、汎用護衛艦並みの強力な装備を持つ沿岸用護衛艦"
https://motor-fan.jp/mf/article/24780/
Philippine News Agency
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1253673
Naval News
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/07/japan-in-talks-to-transfer-warships-surveillance-aircraft-to-the-philippines/
"Japan to transfer used anti-sub destroyers to PH"
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/314612387/japan-to-transfer-used-anti-sub-destroyers-to-ph.html
"Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri reports"
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-export-used-destroyers-philippines-deter-china-yomiuri-reports-2025-07-06/
"フィリピンに護衛艦を輸出へ、中国への抑止力強化に初の事例…中古の「あぶくま型」全６隻"
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20250705-OYT1T50142/
"PH Navy eyes acquiring only 3 of 6 Japanese warships"
https://www.inquirer.net/457261/ph-navy-eyes-acquiring-only-3-of-6-japanese-warships/