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Japan Biggest Warship Comes A Calling

SHAH ALAM: Japan’s biggest warship, helicopter destroyer, JS Izumo – DDH183 — arrives in Port Klang, this morning. Izumo which is on four-day port call in Malaysia was escorted by another destroyer, JS Murasame – DD101.

The two vessels, part of the Escort Flotilla 1 of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) are in Port Klang, for port call and replenishment after they participated in ADMM plus maritime security field exercise 2019 and IMDEX 2019, which was held in Singapore. Both had also conducted an exercise with the Indian Navy and the French Navy carrier, Charles De Gaulle in the Bay of Bengal, prior coming to Malaysia.

The bridge of the Izumo. Note the SeaRam below it.

Escort Flotilla 1 of JMSDF is commanded by Rear Admiral Hiroshi Egawa. The two vessels carried about 590 crew members on board. This was the first time the Izumo, that would be classified as a helicopter carrier by other navies, had berthed in Malaysia.
One of the two fire engines on Izumo flight deck.

In a press conference held on board Izumo, Egawa said a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Recovery seminar will be held on May 28 on board the ship.
A dentist treating a sailor in the Izumo medical quarters.

The seminar is held to enhance the bilateral defense cooperation between the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) and the basis for further cooperation between both militaries.
The JSMDF ensign.

RMN Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Khairul Anuar Yahya who was present at the press conference, said the port call was a further display the close cooperation between both navies.
The air wing bridge of Izumo.

Asked whether they planned to conduct helicopter deck landing qualifications and other activities with the JMSDF vessels during their visit to Malaysia, Khairul Anuar said such event need further planning before it could be implemented.
The Air Boss chair in the air bridge of the Izumo.

It is likely to be conducted during future visits to Malaysia by JMSDF, he said adding that it would not only involve the navy but also the RMAF as well.
JS Murasame at Port Klang.

Both vessels are not open to the public during the port of call, though invited guests, mostly Japanese citizens were allowed on the Murasame shortly after she berthed at the Boustead Cruise Center.
JS Izumo arriving at Port Klang.

Meanwhile, as Izumo and Murasame berthed at Port Klang, Defence Minister Mohammad Sabu visited Charles De Gaulle as she sailed through the Malacca Straits on her way for a port call in Singapore later this week.

— Malaysian Defence

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View Comments (61)

  • Did any TLDM ship conduct passex with CDG while the Menhan was on board in selat melaka?

    IMO it should be made a point that any major warship passing through selat melaka should be welcomed and escorted by a TLDM ship

    Reply
    No idea, there was the MalFran Ex but nothing has been released so far about it

  • I'm thinking of a very scaled down Izumo for our MRSS requirement. Will Abe likely parley and part fund it?

    Reply
    Not really about Japan, it is more likely government not interested

  • Government not interested due to the high price (even for a scale down one). But if Japan is willing to part fund it (and maybe barter trade for palm oil?), who knows if they might think about it.

    @...
    At the moment, yes there's no smaller design available. But then it might be possible to scale it down. As for secondhand, marine-wise TLDM & MMEA have never been adverse to that idea unless the purchase & refurb cost is unjustifiable. Only of the past couple of decades we have been getting new due to "national service" of building them locally.

  • @ joe

    Izumo is an aircraft (now just helicopter, later with J-35) carrier. What MRSS should be is a multi-purpose ship with amphibious support capability. If you want to go japanese, the Osumi-class LST design is a better fit for the mission.

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/LST-4002.jpg

    Anyway IMO we have plenty of shipbuilding “national service” in our hands; Gowinds, MMEA OPV, MMEA NGPV, submarine refit, FAC upgrade/refit and others.

    So IMO with our tight financial resources it is no big issue if we get 2x MRSS ships 2nd hand, and it is probably more acceptable politically than buying Makassar LPD (which is a good design too) from indonesia.

  • @...
    Yup your right. Something like the Osumi would be interesting if the prices can be made right.

    FYI, we are outsiders just kopitiam talking. Some take it too seriously and thought those in power are listening. I highly doubt it. They have their own plans and agenda whether they be from the old government or the new one.

  • @...

    Not in this current \"no money\" situation the country is facing, as far as we all know those MRSS, MRCA, LCA or even a second batch tank brigade won\'t be possible in the near future. Not now. Welp, make do with what we have I guess.