Recently, Japan's large frigate "Kaga" completed the first phase of aircraft carrier refit, marking an important step in Japan's aircraft carrier research and development. As far as Japan is concerned, the conversion of the Kaga frigate into an aircraft carrier not only improves its maritime combat capability, but also means that Japan is gradually moving toward diversification and modernization in its military strategy. This modification has enabled the Kaga to have the ability to take off and land fighters, laying the foundation for its future diversified missions at sea.
The carrier-based modification of the Kaga frigate consisted mainly of a heat-resistant coating of the deck, allowing it to withstand the high temperatures of exhaust exhaust from fighter engines. In addition, the relevant facilities were modified to meet the needs of the F-35B stealth fighter take-off and landing. This series of modifications enabled the Kaga to achieve seamless docking with the aircraft carrier in terms of hardware facilities, laying the foundation for it to undertake aircraft carrier missions in the future.
Since the start of the refit program, the Kaga frigate has undergone a series of rigorous construction and testing steps. At the end of last month, the first phase of the retrofit was successfully completed, and the heat-resistant coating of the deck and the renovation of related facilities all met the expected goals. Currently, the second stage of modification is underway, which mainly involves take-off and landing tests of carrier-based aircraft and the integration of related tactical systems. It is expected that in the coming period, the Kaga frigate will gradually become an aircraft carrier.
After being converted into an aircraft carrier, the Kaga frigate has significantly improved its combat power. The Kaga is equipped with the ability to take off and land fighter jets, allowing it to respond quickly to emergencies at sea and improve Japan's maritime defense capabilities. The F-35B stealth fighter can take off and land on the Kaga, further enhancing the long-range strike and reconnaissance capabilities of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and providing a strong guarantee for safeguarding national security.
Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to carry out two large-scale modifications of the Kaga, allowing it to take off and land F-35B stealth fighters, achieving de facto "aircraft carrierization". Japan is also likely to continue to expand its carrier fleet to meet its security needs in the Asia-Pacific region. This set of plans and goals aims to enhance the overall strength of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and support its greater role in regional and international affairs.
With the completion of the first phase of the modification, the F-35B stealth fighter has successfully conducted take-off and landing tests on the Kaga. This test not only verified the success of the deck modification of the Kaga, but also demonstrated the superior performance of the F-35B fighter in a high-intensity combat environment. With the deepening of the second phase of refit, the Kaga frigate will gradually form its combat effectiveness and inject new vitality into the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The news that Japan's Kaga frigate has completed part of its conversion into an aircraft carrier has aroused widespread concern in the international community. Some countries have expressed concern about this, believing that Japan's move may exacerbate regional tensions. However, some countries believe that in the context of global economic integration, Japan's strengthening of maritime power building is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability. Overall, the international community's response to Japan's aircraft carrier conversion has been diverse. Against this backdrop, all countries should strengthen communication and cooperation to jointly maintain regional peace and tranquility.