Ein-class destroyer

TNS Dikētā (DDV-119) in 2013
Class overview
Builders:	Tao United Shipbuilding Corporation
Operators:	UST Navy Imperial Taoist Navy
Preceded by:	Suzume-class
Succeeded by:	Kitsune-class
Built:	2000–2003
In commission:	2002–present
Planned:	10
Completed:	10
Active:	10
General characteristics
Type:	General-purpose destroyer
Displacement:	4,650 tons normal 6,300 tons full load
Length:	151 m (495 ft)
Beam:	17.4 m (57 ft)
Draft:	5.2 m (17 ft)
Propulsion:	4 x Ein Heavy Industries gas turbines
Speed:	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement:	165 enlisted and officers
Armament:	1 × 5 inch (127mm/Y22) naval gun 2 x Sūkikyō CIWS 2 × Missile canister up to 8 Type 95 (ship to ship missile) 2 × triple 325mm torpedo tubes 1 x 32-cell VLS (anti air, and submarine)
Aviation facilities:	Up to 1 helicopter

The Ein-class destroyer is a class of general purpose destroyers constructed for the United States of the Tao Navy (USTN), and operated by the Imperial Taoist Navy (ITN). This is the slightly modified class of "next-gen" general-purpose destroyers of the ITN.

Development

Since 1983, the USTN had been planning for the next-generation of general-purpose destroyers. This started with the Suzume-class destroyers, for which the Ein class are based off of.

The hull of the Ein class is almost identical to that of the Suzume class, spare a few exceptions, the hull is extremely similar. While most of the superstructure of the two ships is identical, there are some noticable changes to the conning tower.

The combat system is one of the larger upgrades made compared to the Suzume class while the fire control system, and radar systems, are based on the same platform, the models installed on the Suzume class would be considered experimental by many navies, leading to a popular opinion that the Suzume-class destroyers were rushed into construction without the technology the UST wanted to install. The newer and updated systems on the Ein class are widely considered to be much more reliable, and are often considered to be the first real "next-gen" electronic system to be installed on a Taoist ship class.

One of the known, official regrets the USTN had with the Suzume-class destroyers was the J40 3in (76.2mm) cannon instead of the Y22 5in (127mm). The UST was initially having issues with space required for the 5in below the deck, supposedly due to the new electronic systems, which required an abnormal amount of space. After initial trials, the USTN was particularly displeased with the 3in (76.2) cannon on the Suzume class, this is why the DDV-115 and DDV-116 were cancelled, and the USTN requested for the funds to be put towards two more Ein class vessels.

The last four ships of the class (Firentsu, Aoba, Hantau, and Shintao) were all built as training ships, these were dubbed as the "Firentsu class" training vessels.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
Imperial Taoist Navy
DDV-117	Ein	23 March 2000	10 June 2001	11 November 2002	Ein
DDV-118	Neshito	30 June 2000	13 September 2001	1 February 2003	Neshito
DDV-119	Dikētā	3 August 2000	12 October 2001	24 March 2003	Ein
DDV-120	Kachi	17 November 2000	8 March 2002	18 August 2003	Kachi
DDV-121	Shimanto	13 January 2001	14 April 2002	23 September 2003	Shimanto
DDV-122	Dajime	19 May 2001	15 August 2002	14 January 2004	Dajime
DDV-123	Burazosu	24 September 2001	8 November 2002	5 April 2004	Shimanto
DDV-124	Kurisuti	14 October 2001	2 January 2003	27 June 2004	Neshito
DDV-125	Miko	3 April 2002	20 September 2003	2 February 2005	Kachi
DDV-126	Borudō	5 April 2002	22 July 2003	20 December 2004	Dajime
TRV-105	Firentsu	3 January 2003	27 May 2004	19 October 2005	Dajime
TRV-106	Aoba	15 May 2003	21 September 2004	1 February 2006	Dajime
TRV-107	Hantau	24 July 2003	22 November 2004	7 April 2006	Dajime
TRV-108	Shintao	4 October 2003	22 February 2005	15 July 2006	Dajime