Ōsumi-class tank landing ship
The Ōsumi class LST, is a Japanese amphibious transport dock. The class is also known as the Oosumi class. While the JMSDF describes the Ōsumi class as tank landing ships, they lack the bow doors and beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs. Functionally, their well-deck makes the Ōsumi class more like a dock landing ship (LSD).
As of 2014, there are 3 Ōsumi vessels active with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
| Class and type: | Ōsumi class LST |
|---|---|
| Displacement: | 8,900 tons standard 14,000 tons full load |
| Length: | 178 m |
| Beam: | 25.8 m |
| Draft: | 6.0 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Mitsui 16V42M-A Diesel (2 shafts propulsion, 26,000 bhp.) 1 × bow thruster |
| Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h) |
| Complement: | 138 crews + (330 troops) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
OPS-14C air search radar,OPS-28D surface search radar,OPS-20 navigation radar, TACAN |
| Electronic warfare & decoys: | 4 × Mark 36 SRBOC |
| Armament: | 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 2 × 12.7mm machine gun M2 |
| Aircraft carried: | Up to 8 helicopters |
| Notes: | Two Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Troops: 330/1000 long/short duration Up to 10 main battle tanks |
I don't believe this vessel is large enough to accommodate the equipment the NZDF would like to deploy even if it wasn't carrying any helo's. One of the reasons Canterbury can carry so much equipment and vehicles is because she does not have a well-dock which takes up precious space... however the DCP is saying the new vessel will have the well-dock making this class a little bit limited. Also on the older side and design nearing 21 at the time of writing and will be retiring by the time the RNZN introduce the new enhanced sealift vessel vessel.
