The Yūbari-class destroyer escort (or frigate) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is the successor to the and primarily focused on anti-submarine warfare. The class comprised two ships and were in service from 1983 to 2010. They were followed by the .

Description This class was based on the design of the predecessor but was enlarged with improved accommodation and fuel capacity. The ships have a standard displacement of and at full load. They measure long with a beam of and a draft of . They have a complement of 95 personnel.

The class retained the CODOG propulsion system consisting of a Rolls-Royce Olympus TM-3B manufactured by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries under license used for boosting, creating . The cruising engine is the Mitsubishi/MAN 6DRV 35/44 diesel engine, turning two shafts with controllable pitch propellers creating , reaching a maximum speed of .

The class is equipped with OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar. They utilize the FCS-2 fire-control system for the gun. For electronic support measures, the escorts are equipped with NOLR 6B system. The ships sport the SQS-36J hull-mounted sonar for subsurface targeting. For anti-missile defence, the Yūbaris have two Mk 36 SRBOC six-barrelled chaff launchers.

This class is equipped with eight Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles as the key weapon system, in two quad launchers. They also mount 76 mm/62 Compact gun. Provision for a Phalanx CIWS was made in the stern area, although it was never installed. They are also armed with two triple-mounted HOS-301 torpedo tubes for Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes. For anti-submarine defense, the vessels mount a Bofors 375 mm rocket launcher.

Ships in the class Yūbari class construction data Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate DE-227 Sumitomo, Uraga 9 February 1981 22 February 1982 18 March 1983 25 June 2010 DE-228 Hitachi, Maizuru 14 January 1982 25 January 1983 14 February 1984 25 June 2010

Construction and career Only two units were ordered, the second in Fiscal Year (FY) 1980–81. However, a change in policy beginning in 1983 saw the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force change its focus from anti-submarine warfare defense to offshore sea lane and communication defense. As a result, no new hulls were purchased and they were only followed by the larger in FY 1987–88. Both ships of this class were deployed at the Ominato District Force (home-ported at Mutsu, Aomori). The Ominato District is the northernmost district of the JMSDF and forefront against the Russian Pacific Fleet.

See also List of frigates

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