Japanese Patrol Boats Blocking North Korean Spy Ships

The Hayabusa-class missile high-speed boats were built between 2000 and 2004, with six vessels constructed and utilized as Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's rapid patrol assets. Photo by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

[Military Analyst Kim Daeyoung]The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), boasting one of the top five naval powers in the world. Although most of its combat ships are destroyers with displacements of several thousand tons, the regional fleets, which can be considered equivalent to our Navy’s regional commands, have some Hayabusa-class missile fast attack craft deployed.

Established on July 1, 1954, the JMSDF initially operated a few destroyers and landing ships provided by the U.S. military. Compared to the Imperial Japanese Navy, which once ranked as the world’s third strongest naval force, this was a modest capability. However, Japan began to domestically produce combat ships in earnest, resulting in the creation of the first torpedo boat, the “Torpedo Boat No. 1.” In the 1970s, as naval warfare shifted to anti-ship missile combat, development began on a new missile fast attack craft to replace the existing torpedo boats.

This led to the birth of the “Missile Fast Attack Craft No. 1.” From 1991 to 1995, a total of three units were constructed. Based on the Sparviero-class hydrofoil missile fast attack craft built by Italy’s Fincantieri in the 1970s, the Missile Fast Attack Craft No. 1 incorporated JMSDF operational requirements and was a very small vessel with a full load displacement of only 60 tons. However, it boasted a top speed of 46 knots, equivalent to 85 km/h.

For reference, a hydrofoil is a type of ship with wings under the hull that lift the vessel above the water surface at high speeds. Because the hull rises above the water, it experiences less resistance, allowing for high-speed navigation. The Missile Fast Attack Craft No. 1 was armed with two Type 90 anti-ship missiles, independently developed by Japan, and the JM61-RFS, a naval gun version of the M61 20mm Vulcan cannon produced under license in Japan. Despite its speed, the very small size of the Missile Fast Attack Craft No. 1 posed many operational challenges.

Ultimately, it was operated from 1993 until its retirement in 2010. In 1995, through the Defense Guidelines, the Japan Self-Defense Forces decided to build a new missile fast attack craft to replace the No. 1. Moreover, the importance of the new missile fast attack craft increased following the March 23, 1999 incident when a North Korean spy ship intruded into Japanese territorial waters. The first ship of this new class was named “Hayabusa,” meaning “Peregrine Falcon.”

Six Hayabusa-class missile fast attack crafts were built and deployed between 2000 and 2004. Compared to the No. 1 missile fast attack craft, the Hayabusa-class is larger, with a full load displacement of 240 tons, and is equipped with a 76mm naval gun. The anti-ship missiles remain the Type 90 missiles, as with the No. 1 craft. Featuring a planing hull suitable for high-speed navigation and powered by three gas turbine engines, the Hayabusa-class can reach a maximum speed of 44 knots. The Hayabusa-class missile fast attack crafts deployed in regional fleets serve as JMSDF’s rapid response patrol force due to their high speed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.