Japan introduces new landing craft classes to transport army equipment
The Japanese 2,400t landing craft utility Nihonbare (‘4151’) was launched in late-October. (Photo: Japan MoD)
Japan’s new Nihonbare-class landing craft has highlighted Tokyo’s strategic moves to secure its archipelagic regions. Their introduction could be of interest to Australia as it develops its own amphibious capabilities.
Japan has launched a new class of landing craft to enable to army to eliminate gaps in its ability to rapidly move equipment and troops to archipelagic areas using amphibious transport vessels.
The boat, to be christened Nihonbare (pennant number ‘4151’) once it has been commissioned next March, is being constructed by the Setoda Shipyard of Naikai Zosen in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is calling the platform a landing craft utility (LCU), but it might better be considered a landing ship tank (LST). This vessel has a standard displacement of around 2,400t and a crew of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Singapore to add two more submarines to fleet as it hikes defence spending]()
Singapore to add two more submarines to fleet as it hikes defence spending
Singapore’s army and navy look set to benefit from increases in the country’s defence budget, with submarines and IFVs on the shopping list.
-
![GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns]()
GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) believes the US industrial base will struggle to meet US Navy (USN) requirements. This follows recent warnings from USN heads of a decline in resources and that the industrial base is under strain.
-
![Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships]()
Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships
Lockheed Martin has won contracts and contract modifications on systems and platforms ranging from missile systems and naval helicopters to Littoral Combat Ships.
