JDS Tokachi

JDS Tokachi alongside JDS Ōi on 1 April 1984
History
Japan
Name	Tokachi (とかち)
Namesake	Tokachi
Ordered	1969
Builder	Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down	11 December 1970
Launched	25 November 1971
Commissioned	17 May 1972
Decommissioned	15 April 1998
Homeport	Ominato (1972-1985) Kure (1985-1998)
Identification	Pennant number: DE-218
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type	Chikugo-class destroyer escort
Displacement	1,700–1,800 long tons (1,727–1,829 t) full load
Length	93.0 m (305 ft 1 in)
Beam	10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Draught	3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Depth	7.0 m (23 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	CODAD propulsion system 2 × shafts, 4 × diesel engines (16,000 hp, 12,000 kW)
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range	5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	165
Sensors and processing systems	TDS-1 Target Designation System OPS-14 2D air search radar OPS-17 surface search radar FCS-1B gun FCS OQS-3A bow sonar SQS-35(J) VDS SFCS-4 Underwater Battery FCS
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLR-5 ESM
Armament	2 × 3"/50 caliber guns 2 × 40 mm AA guns 1 × ASROC ASW missile launcher 2 × triple 324 mm ASW torpedo tubes

JDS Tokachi (DE-218) was the fourth ship of the Chikugo-class destroyer escorts of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Development and design

The Chikugo class was designed as the modified variant of the Isuzu class, the preceding destroyer escort class. The main anti-submarine (ASW) weapon was changed from the M/50 375 mm (14.8 in) ASW rocket launcher to the ASROC anti-submarine missile. The octuple launcher for ASROC was stationed at the mid-deck, and the entire ship design was prescribed by this stationing.

Construction and career

Tokachi was laid down on 11 December 1970 at Mitsui Engineering & SHipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 25 November 1971. The vessel was commissioned on 17 May 1972 into the 35th Escort Corps of the Ominato District Force.

On August 31, 1973, the 35th Escort Corps was reorganized under the 4th Escort Corps group.

On March 27, 1982, the 35th Escort Corps was reorganized into the Ominato District Force.

On March 27, 1985, she was transferred to the 38th Escort Corps of the Kure District Force, and the home port was transferred to Kure.

Dismantled at Yamaji Sangyo in Okayama City in 1999 after being removed from the register on 15 April 1998.

Gallery

• 
  JDS Tokachi and JDS Ōi in Apra Harbor on 1 April 1984.
• 
  JDS Tokachi and JDS Ōi in Apra Harbor on 1 April 1984.
• 
  JDS Tokachi, JDS Arashio and JDS Ōi in Apra Harbor on 1 April 1984.
• 
  JDS Tokachi's radar OPS-2 on 1 April 1984.
• 
  JDS Tokachi on 21 December 1987.
• 
  JDS Tokachi on 21 December 1987.