Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have added a new amphibious landing ship of the LCU (Landing Craft Utility) type to their fleet, which will become part of the Joint Maritime Transport Group. The incorporation of the third unit was celebrated on November 6, at the Setoda shipyard in Hiroshima. The ship is expected to enter service at the end of this year.
The new unit, named “Aozora” (LCU-4153), seeks to add new capabilities for transporting troops and supplies to ports located in island areas with shallow waters. In addition, the incorporation will allow for faster and more agile transport to regions such as the Nansei Islands, reinforcing the Self-Defense Forces’ logistical capacity to respond to contingencies in southwestern Japan.
It should not be overlooked that the landing ship will become part of the Joint Maritime Transport Group, a joint unit established in March of this year, composed of members and assets from the Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), based at the Kure Naval Base, in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Primarily, the Maritime Transport Group is part of an initiative outlined in the Defense Strengthening Program, approved in December 2022 by the National Security Council and the Japanese Cabinet. In this, priority was given to improving the mobile deployment capability in the southwestern region of the country through a new joint maritime transport unit of the Self-Defense Forces.
But above all, in light of concern over China’s growing threat toward Taiwan, Tokyo made the decision to reinforce its transport capabilities for troop deployment, as well as for the transfer of fuel, ammunition, supplies, and vehicles to forward bases, particularly along the Nansei Islands chain.
Regarding its technical characteristics, the Aozora belongs to the Nihonbare class, with a length of approximately 80 meters, a beam of 17 meters, and an estimated displacement of 2,400 tons. It can reach a maximum speed close to 15 knots and has a crew of about 30 members. Its design includes a bow ramp that allows it to conduct beaching operations, enabling direct embarkation and disembarkation on beaches or areas without port infrastructure. In addition, it can transport several hundred tons of cargo, including 20-foot containers or around ten light vehicles, making it a key asset for logistical operations in island territories.
On this basis, the first amphibious landing ship, named Nihonbare, was launched in 2024, while the second, named Amatsusora, was launched in 2025. Beyond this, Japan plans to allocate at least ten transport ships to the group by the end of 2028. These will include four general-use landing craft (Landing Craft Utility, LCU), two logistical support vessels (Landing Support Vessel, LSV), and four maneuver support vessels (Maneuver Support Vessel, MSV). This type of amphibious transport craft is characterized by being used to transport troops and supplies to shallow-water islands.
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