Description:
The Japan Marine Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Tachikaze-class escort frigates, destroyers for MSDF, were designed primarily to provide area air defense for Japanese escort flotillas with secondary anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. Its propulsion system consists of gas turbines developing 60,000-shp of power and enabling a top speed of 32 knots. Tachikaze-class frigates were not provided helicopter facilities. The weapon system consists of two 5-in (127mm) dual purpose guns, two 20mm Phalanx guns, 40 SM-1 MR surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) with MK-13 launching system, 16 ASROC rockets, and two triple 12.75-in torpedo tubes. The JMSDF commissioned three ships in 1976, 1979 and 1983.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 250
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 127 mm
Number of Weapons: 56
Dimensions: Beam 14.3 m, Draft 4.6 m, Length 143 m
Weights: Full Displacement 3,850 t
Performance: Top Speed 32 kt (59 kph)
Power: Power 60,000 shp
Other: Torpedo Tubes 6 12.75-in torpedo tubes
Operators
Japan / 3
As of
Holdings
2008
1
2007
2
Ships
DDG168 Tachikaze / Decommissioned
replaced by destroyer Atago
Commissioning: 1976 Decommissioning: March 2007
DDG169 Asakaze / Decommissioned
Replaced by destroyer Ashigara
Commissioning: 1979 Decommissioning: March 2008
DDG170 Sawakaze
Commissioning: 1983
Image Gallery
Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Japan / 3 
Replaced by destroyer Ashigara