The Shirane class was designed as a helicopter destroyer with enhanced anti-submarine and command capability. It expanded on the Haruna concept by combining destroyer weapons with a larger aviation and command-support role.
Unlike ordinary gun/missile destroyers, Shirane-class ships carried multiple helicopters and facilities for ASW operations. That aviation capacity made them valuable for submarine hunting, task-group coordination, and command duties within JMSDF escort forces.
The class served before being replaced by newer helicopter destroyers with greater aviation capacity. Its database value is as a link between Cold War ASW destroyers and Japan's later large-deck helicopter destroyer families.
| Name | Country | Status | Service Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
JS Kurama (DDH-144) | 🇯🇵Japan | DECOMMISSIONED | 1981 – 2017 | Japan MSDF Shirane-class helicopter destroyer |
JS Shirane (DDH-143) | 🇯🇵Japan | DECOMMISSIONED | 1980 – 2015 | Japan MSDF Shirane-class helicopter destroyer |
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