Sakura-class patrol ship
Lead ship Sakura during her launch ceremony; sister ship Tachibana is seen behind her | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators | Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
| Preceded by | Hayabusa class |
| Built | February 2025–present |
| In commission | March 2027 (scheduled) |
| Planned | 12 |
| Building | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Offshore patrol vessels (OPV) |
| Displacement | 1,920 long tons (1,950 t) standard |
| Length | 95 m (311 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion | Combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) |
| Speed | 20 kn (23 mph; 37 km/h) |
| Complement | 30 |
| Armament | 1 × foredeck-mounted 30-mm naval gun for self-defense |
| Aircraft carried | Mitsubishi SH-60J/K/L or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) |
| Aviation facilities | Multi-purpose helicopter-UAV hangar and landing deck |
| Notes | Containerized mission modules, stern crane, launch and recovery system (LARS) |
The Sakura-class patrol ships consist of 12 OPV-type patrol vessels planned to be operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Admist the rising tensions over the Senkaku Islands and to replace older vessels such as the Hayabusa-class patrol boats, in 2022, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force launched the Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program. Construction of the Sakura-class began as part of the program in 2023, and by late 2025, the first two ships have launched.