상륙정 일본, 신형 LCU 진수

[위종민]

일본의 나이카이 조선이 육상자위대가 주문한 신형 LCU, 함번 4151 '니혼바레'를 10월 29일 진수했습니다. 

전장은 80m, 배수량은 2,400톤 가량으로 승조원은 30명이고 수 백톤의 화물이나 차량이나 20피트 컨테이너 12개 가량을 탑재 가능하고 최고속도는 최소 15노트 가량이라고 합니다. 연안에 beaching이 가능하고요. 가격은 41억 엔 ( 2,700만 달러)라고. 

일본은 육상, 해상, 항공자위대 합동으로 자위대 해상수송단 ( Maritime Transport Group)을 2025년 3월 구레 해군기지에서 창설할 예정이라고 하네요. 니혼바레함과 동형인 LCU 4척, 3,500톤 급의 중형수송함 2척, 4척의 기동지원함(maneuver support vessel)이 2028년 3월까지 수송단에 배속될 예정이라고 합니다. 

이전에 해자대가 상륙정을 운용한 적이 있나 찾아보니 LST들은 2000년 즈음에 모두 퇴역했고, LCU-2001급이 2척 건조됐었는데 1척은 퇴역했네요. 81년 취역한 유라급 LSU는 SEAFORCES.ORG에는 현재 운용중이라고 하는데, 설마 아직도 쓰고 있을지 ㄷㄷㄷ 

Japan launches first LCU for the SDF Maritime Transport Group - Naval News

Japan launches first LCU for the SDF Maritime Transport Group - Naval News

 Home»News»Japan launches first LCU for the SDF Maritime Transport Group

The naming ceremony and launching ceremony for the LCU “NIHONBARE” (JGSDF photo)

Japan launches first LCU for the SDF Maritime Transport Group

On October 29, 2024, the Japanese shipbuilder Naikai Zosen launched the first landing craft utility (LCU) on order for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

Kosuke Takahashi  29 Oct 2024

The new transport vessel, which has been named “Nihonbare”「 にほんばれ」 (with pennant number 4151), entered the water in a ceremony held at Naikai Zosen’s Setoda shipyard in Onomichi City of Hiroshima Prefecture on the day. Nihonbare in Japanese means a clear, cloudless sky, thus conveying a wish for a safe voyage.

The LCU is about 80 meters long, has a draft of about 3 meters, and a standard displacement of about 2,400 tons. It will have a crew complement of about 30. Its transport capacity is several hundred tons, and it can carry a dozen vehicles or a dozen 20-foot containers. It can attain a top speed of at least 15 knots (about 28.8km/h).

It has beaching capabilities, allowing it to dock and leave quays or sandy areas, and to load and unload vehicles and supplies directly from the ramp on the bow. The construction cost is about 4.1 billion yen($27 million).

Japan is currently strengthening its transportation capabilities to deploy troops and transport fuel, ammunition, supplies, and vehicles to front-line bases, especially in the nation’s southwestern Nansei island chain, which spans about 1,200 km from Kagoshima to Okinawa, stretching southwest towards Taiwan. The chain includes the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan.

To this end, the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo plans to establish a new Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group (tentative name), a joint unit of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, which will be established at the JMSDF Kure Base in March 2025. The initial number of members at the unit will be about 100, according the MoD.

Ten transport ships are due to be deployed with the unit by the end of March 2028. In particular, there will be four LCU vessels of the same type as the Nihonbare, two medium-sized transport vessels with a standard displacement of over 3,500 tons, and four maneuver support vessels (MSVs).

One medium-sized transport vessel with a length of 120 meters is scheduled to be launched in November 2024. The Nihonbare and this medium-sized transport vessel will be deployed at the Kure base by March 2025.

“LCUs are employed to transport troops and supplies to ports in shallow islands. The acquisition of LCU will enable prompt and reliable transportation in the southwestern islands etc. dotted with large and small islands, and will contribute to strengthening the island defense system.”

JGSDF on X

New class of Japan Self-Defense Force vessel, the landing ship Nihonbare, which essentially bridges the capability gap between existing LCMs and the Osumi-class LPDs, for transportation of troops and materiel to the remote Southwestern Isles. To be operated chiefly by JGSDF. https://t.co/dGhTrwBJsD

— Collin Koh 🇸🇬🇺🇦 (@CollinSLKoh) October 29, 2024

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