Japanese warship in Panama Canal May 9, 2012

**dmwnc1959** · 09 May 12,, 14:47

Caught this slick looking guy sneaking through this morning. They never show up on AIS hence I have no idea what it's name is.

**hanswu25** · 09 May 12,, 15:08

DDH-143 Shirane

**surfgun** · 09 May 12,, 15:33

Those older Japanese Destroyers have to be getting long in the tooth. They have been around for a long time, plus long obsolete (by US standards) 5" Mark 42 gun mounts.

**ChrisV71** · 09 May 12,, 19:47

The first 2 DDH's (Haruna DDH-141 and Hiei DDH-142) have already been decommissioned and replaced by Hyuga DDH-181 and Ise DDH-182.

The Shirane is scheduled to be decommissioned in about 2 years with Kurama (DDH-144) following. They are the last 2 Japanese ships using that particular gun mount. (I think)

The first of their replacements is under construction and scheduled to be commissioned in 2015, with the second one 2 years later. They are known as 22DDH and 24DDH atm and don't have names yet, but at around 27,000 tons full load, are destroyers in name/designation only.

Japan lays keel for 22DDH Helicopter Carrier

**dmwnc1959** · 10 May 12,, 04:56

THANKS for ID'ing her.

I remember seeing these ships when I was stationed on USS Shasta visiting Japan. They sort of remind me of the Belknap-class, of which I was also stationed on USS Biddle, if it weren't for the old forward gun mounts.

**USSWisconsin** · 10 May 12,, 06:43

The stern is vaguely remenicennt of a couple of WWII IJN capital ships with aviation aft.

**dmwnc1959** · 12 May 12,, 09:39

I actually thought briefly of the Russian Moskva-class carriers when I saw her stern.

And Rich, if your our there I sent you an private message. Check your Inbox.