Suzume-class destroyer

TNS Āku (DDV-112) in 2015
Class overview
Builders:	Tao United Shipbuilding Corporation
Operators:	UST Navy Imperial Taoist Navy
Succeeded by:	Ein-class
Built:	1993–1996
In commission:	1995–present
Planned:	12
Completed:	10
Cancelled:	2
Active:	10
General characteristics
Type:	General-purpose destroyer
Displacement:	4,550 tons normal 6,200 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 60,000 bhp (45 MW)
Speed:	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement:	165 enlisted and officers
Armament:	1 × 3 inch (76.2mm/J40) naval gun 2 x Sūkikyō CIWS 2 × Missile canister up to 8 Type 95 (ship to ship missile) 2 × triple 325mm torpedo tubes 2 x 16-cell VLS (anti air, and submarine)
Aircraft carried:	Up to 2 helicopters

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

Development

Since 1983, the USTN started planning for the next generation of general-purpose destroyers.

The hull design was completely renovated from first-generation DDs. In addition to increasing the size in order to reduce the underwater radiation noise, both the superstructure and hull were inclined to reduce the radar cross-section. There is however no angled tripod mainmast because of the heavy weather of the Seas surrounding the UST in winter.

Aircraft facility is expanded to accommodate two shipboard helicopters. One helicopter is a basic load, and another can be accommodated in case of overseas operation.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
Imperial Taoist Navy
DDV-105	Suzume	21 January 1993	1 March 1994	3 August 1995	Neshito
DDV-106	Aokakesu	24 April 1993	20 January 1994	21 June 1995	Firentsu
DDV-107	Hachidori	13 August 1993	7 July 1994	10 December 1995	Aoba
DDV-108	Hato	8 December 1993	4 December 1994	5 May 1996	Aoba
DDV-109	Nomikomu	10 February 1994	29 December 1994	13 May 1996	Neshito
DDV-110	Finchi	19 March 1994	15 April 1995	1 September 1996	Kachi
DDV-111	Gachō	16 May 1994	3 June 1995	20 November 1996	Firentsu
DDV-112	Āku	5 November 1994	13 October 1995	13 March 1997	Kachi
DDV-113	Basutā	6 December 1994	11 January 1996	4 June 1997	Shimanto
DDV-114	Yōchū	12 March 1995	24 May 1996	12 October 1997	Shimanto
DDV-115
DDV-116