Japan to deploy Izumo-class carrier to US for F-35B tests

JS Kaga seen here in an image that was released by the JMSDF post refit. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

Japan is sending one of its Izumo-class helicopter carriers to San Diego in the United States as part of efforts to eventually deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft on the vessel type.

In its statement released on 10 September the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) disclosed that the vessel, second-of-class JS Kaga, will be carrying out tests of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft from 5 October to 18 November.

During the tests, STOVL operations will be carried out on Kaga, the JMSDF added in its statement.

Kaga is one of two Izumo-class helicopter carriers operated by the JMSDF. First-of-class JS Izumo was commissioned in March 2015 while Kaga was inducted in March 2017.

Both vessels were conceived as helicopter carriers but have been built with weight and strength considerations that allow them to embark F-35Bs.

In March 2022 Japan Marine United (JMU) confirmed that it has begun refit works on Kaga at the company's Kure shipyard in Kure City, Hiroshima, but the company did not provide further details on this.

Visual confirmation on what this refit work consisted of only began emerging in December 2023 when the JMSDF's Escort Flotilla 4 released images of the vessel post refit.

These images indicate that the refit works have mostly focused on the bow section of its flight deck, which now features two symmetrical right angles instead of the trapezoidal shape that it was originally designed with.