Jan 13
JS Kaga
"Cruiser" of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force - The second Japanese aircraft carrier named after the Kaga province- Launched August 27th, 2015 -The Kaga was ordered as a helicopter carrier, but is currently undergoing a retrofit in order to operate the F-35B, a VTOL capable variant of the F-35. Japan is legally banned from operating "attack aircraft carriers," a term the Japanese government defines as carriers intended to preform nuclear strikes. Since Japan does not operate a nuclear deterrent, the Kaga can only be a "defense carrier." Additionally, Japan classifies the vessel as a multi-role cruiser to further create distance from its constitutional obligations.
