4. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Aircraft carrier – 2
Nuclear submarine – 0
Amphibious assault ship – 3
Conventional submarine – 19
Cruiser – 0
Destroyer – 26
Frigates – 10
By launching of JS Izumo, the largest Japanese warship since World War 2, Japan who has one of the strongest navies in the world caused quite a bit of consternation in some countries, especially China. Together with two similar Hyuga class ships, Izumo and her sister ship Kaga to be commissioned in 2017) bear designation of helicopter destroyers, which is unique to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. One only needs to take a glimpse of these vessels and realize that they have absolutely nothing in common with destroyers and that the designation is merely a ruse on Japanese part. In fact, these large helicopter carriers are just a minor refit and a complement of F-35B STOVL fighters away from being fully-fledged fleet carriers, so we classified them as such.
Miffynam/Shutterstock.com
