Kunigami-class patrol vessel

The Kunigami-class patrol vessel (くにがみ型巡視船, Kunigami-gata-junnsi-senn) is a class of 1,000 ton-class PL type patrol vessels of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).

Kunigami-class patrol vessel
Nagura at the Port of Ishigaki
Class overview
Name: Kunigami-class patrol vessel
Operators: Japan Coast Guard
Preceded by: Hateruma class
Succeeded by: Iwami class
In commission: 2012–present
Planned: 21
Building: 1
Completed: 20
Active: 20
General characteristics
Type: PL (Patrol vessel Large)
Tonnage: 1,700 GT
Length: 96.6 m (316 ft 11 in)
Beam: 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
Draft: 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Armament: 1 × JM61 20mm gun or Bushmaster II 30mm gun

Background

In the 2000s, the JCG was building 1,000-ton class PLs with a high speed planing hull, such as Aso and Hateruma classes. Although these ships were excellent in security missions, they were also unsuitable for rescue missions because of their poor low-speed stability and cruising capacity.[1]

Since the mass retirement of the Shiretoko class was planned in the 2010s, general-purpose ships as replacements were needed. For this purpose, construction of this class was started under the FY2009 supplement budget.[2]

As a result of emphasis on versatility, the price soared, only two ships were built, more reasonable Iwami class was built from the following fiscal year. However, after that, additional construction was done to deploy on the Senkaku Islands in the FY2012 budgets. And construction is continuing from FY 2013 onwards, as construction costs have been reduced due to the mass production effect of this large-scale construction.[2]

Design

Due to the demand for multi-mission capabilities, displacement hull made of steel was adopted. Also, since low-speed stability was required, antiroll tanks was also installed in addition to fin stabilizers. The superstructure is made of aluminium alloy, but the bridge has bulletproofing structure introduced.[3]

A helipad is set on the stern deck. Although there is no hangar, they can supply fuel and electric power to a helicopter on board.[3]

As a main weapon, a JM61-RFS 20 mm rotary gun system with an optical director was installed on the early ships built under the FY2009 and FY2012. And more powerful Bushmaster II 30 mm chain gun system was installed on the late ships built under the FY2013 and following fiscal years.[4]

In service

JCG Kunigami class ships based at Ishigaki

The ship of FY2012 constitutes the main force of the task force deployed around the Senkaku Islands. And the ships built under the FY2013 and following fiscal years are deployed as replacements of the Shiretoko class.[2]

Ships in the class

Pennant no. Name Builder Commissioned Homeport
PL-09Kunisaki
(former Kunigami)
Shimonoseki shipyard,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
April 27, 2012Moji
PL-10Bukō
(former Motobu)
Yokohama
PL-81TaketomiSeptember 26, 2014Ishigaki
PL-82Nagura
PL-83KabiraNovember 7, 2014
PL-84ZampaFebruary 25, 2015
PL-85TaramaIsogo shipyard,
Japan Marine United
November 25, 2015
PL-86Ikema
PL-87IrabuTamano Shipyard,
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
PL-88TokashikiShimonoseki shipyard,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
February 4, 2016
PL-89AguniTamano Shipyard,
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
February 24, 2016
PL-90IzenaShimonoseki shipyard,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
PL-11RishiriOctober 27, 2016Wakkanai
PL-12EsanOtaru
PL-13MotobuIsogo shipyard,
Japan Marine United
November 29, 2016Naha
PL-14YonakuniTamano Shipyard,
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
November 25, 2016Ishigaki
PL-01OkiShimonoseki shipyard,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
February 27, 2017Sakaiminato
PL-02ErimoKushiro
PL-91TsurugaIsogo shipyard,
Japan Marine United
May 15, 2020Tsuruga
PL-92EchizenTamano Shipyard,
Mitsui E&S
July 30, 2020Tsuruga

See also

References

  1. Equipment and Technology Department of the Japan Coast Guard (July 2016). "Characteristics of JCG new type vessels and their design methods". Ships of the World. Kaijin-sha (840): 142–145.
  2. "Ships of Japan Coast Guard". Ships of the World. Kaijin-sha (840): 48–49. July 2016.
  3. "Details of Kunigami class new patrol vessels". Ships of the World. Kaijin-sha (762): 10–13. July 2012.
  4. Nakanomyo, Masami (October 2015). "History of shipboard guns on JCG's patrol vessels". Ships of the World. Kaijin-sha (825): 168–173.
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