JS Akashi

Akashi being launched, 29 May 2025
History
Japan
NameAkashi
Ordered2022
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki Shipyard
Cost28.3 billion yen
Laid down20 August 2024
Launched29 May 2025
Commissioned9 March 2026
Home portYokosuka
IdentificationPennant number: AGS-5107
StatusActive
Class overview
Preceded byShōnan
Succeeded byN/A
General characteristics
TypeOceanographic research ship
Displacement
  • 3,500 t (3,400 long tons; 3,900 short tons) (standard)
  • 4,700 t (4,600 long tons; 5,200 short tons) (full load)
Length113.7 m (373 ft 0 in)
Beam17.8 m (58 ft 5 in)
Draft9.2 m (30 ft 2 in)
Installed power4,600 hp (3,400 kW)
Propulsion
Speed16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
CrewApproximately 90

JS Akashi (Japanese: あかし; Pennant number: AGS-5107) is an oceanographic research ship built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, named after the Akashi Coast. She is the fourth ship to bear this name, after the Imperial Japanese Navy's protected cruiser Akashi, the repair ship Akashi, and the JMSDF's research ship Akashi.

Construction and career

Akashi was laid down at the Enora Plant of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Shimonoseki Shipyard in May 2023[contradictory], as part of the JMSDF's Mid-Term Defense Program for the fiscal year 2022. She was christened and launched on 29 May 2025, costing 28.3 billion yen during the vessel's construction. After a period of fitting out and sea trials, Akashi was commissioned on 9 March 2026. She will be deployed to the Yokosuka Naval Base, replacing JS Wakasa of the 1st Oceanographic Research Squadron under the Oceanography ASW Support Command.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 防衛省 海上自衛隊 [@JMSDF_PAO] (29 May 2025). "海洋観測艦は、名所旧跡のうち主として「海浜(浦)の名」から選出されます。" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 May 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).[better source needed]
  2. ↑ 海上自衛隊佐世保地方総監部【公式】 [@jmsdf_srh] (29 May 2025). "三菱重工業株式会社 下関造船所で 海洋観測艦「あかし」の命名・進水式が行われました" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 May 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).[better source needed]
  3. 1 2 3 "16年ぶり！ 新たな自衛艦「あかし」進水 ミサイルも大砲もないけど超重要な存在 どこに配備？". 乗りものニュース. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "海洋観測艦と音響測定艦を受注 三菱重工、護衛艦2隻も合わせて契約額888億円". 海事プレス. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "令和４年度計画海洋観測艦の命名式・進水式について" (PDF). 海上幕僚監部. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  6. ↑ 防衛省 海上自衛隊 [@JMSDF_PAO] (29 May 2025). "㊗海洋観測艦「あかし」命名式・進水式" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 May 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).[better source needed]
  7. ↑ "我が国の防衛と予算～防衛力強化加速パッケージ～ -令和４年度予算（令和３年度補正を含む）の概要-" (PDF). 防衛省. 24 March 2022. p. 14. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "■令和４年度防衛予算の政府案決定". 世界の艦船. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "【先行】防衛省の海洋観測艦「あかし」就役三菱重工下関造船所で引き渡し式". Yamaguchi Shimbun (in Japanese). 9 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.