Japanese destroyer in Kuantan waters until tomorrow
KUANTAN: The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel JS Akebono has made port here after completing anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
The Murasame-class destroyer is anchored at Kuantan Port until Sept 21 before returning home to Japan.
Capt Josuke Nakamura said in the meantime, officers onboard the vessel would be conducting staff call on the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Naval Region 1 commander.
“The JS Akebono and its approximately 210 crew, including eight Japan Coast Guard personnel, is visiting Kuantan in order to promote mutual understanding and friendship.
“I am sure we can deepen the bilateral relations of our nations and strengthen ties between our navies during this event,” said Nakamura, who is also the commander of JMSDF Escort Division 5.
This was the first time that the JS Akebono made a port call in Kuantan. It had been participating in anti-piracy escort operations off the coast of Somalia for three to four months.
The destroyer had a displacement of 4,550 tonnes and was capable of reaching a speed of 30 knots.
It fulfilled the role of active and passive undersea warfare as well as air warfare.
Among its armaments were a 76mm rapid fire gun, vertical launching system Anti-Submarine Rockets, two 20mm defensive guns, surface-to-air missiles and triple torpedo tubes.
The JS Akebono also carries an SH-60J/K anti-submarine helicopter.
The vessel’s name Akebono is a Japanese expression for daybreak.
No public viewing of the vessel is allowed.