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https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/jmsdf-changes-its-largest-destroyer-classification-from-ddh-to-cvm/Home » JMSDF changes its largest ‘destroyer’ classification from ‘DDH’ to ‘CVM’
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JMSDF changes its largest ‘destroyer’ classification from ‘DDH’ to ‘CVM’
Published on 18/09/2025
By Yoshihiro Inaba
In News
JS Kaga CVM
JS Kaga conducting a multi-lateral exercise in September 2025. The vessel is classified as "CVM" from now on. JMSDF picture.
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The Japanese Ministry of Defense has revised the hull classification symbols for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels effective October 2024. The change adds two new symbols, “CG” and “CVM,” which will be applied to upcoming ship types.
JMSDF vessels are classified into warships that enjoy the status of warships under international law (Self Defense Ship: 自衛艦 in Japanese) and other vessels categorized as support ships. The warship category is further divided into escort vessels and auxiliary vessels. Escort vessels are sub-categorized by function into surface/subsurface combatants (destroyers, submarines), mine warfare vessels (minesweepers, minesweeper craft, minesweeper tenders), patrol vessels (missile boats, offshore patrol vessels), and transport vessels (transport ships, landing craft, hovercraft).
The revision this time concerns the classification symbols for escort destroyers, which belong to the surface combatant group. Destroyers are combatant ships in the JMSDF inventory equipped with guns, missiles and other weapons, and possess the capability to engage enemy surface ships, submarines and aircraft. Until now, hull classification symbols have included general-purpose destroyer (DD), guided-missile destroyer (DDG), helicopter destroyer (DDH), as well as smaller coastal escort destroyer (DE) and multi-role frigates (FFM). Last year’s directive added two new symbols: “CG” and “CVM.” Naval News interviewed the JMSDF Office of Public Affairs to clarify what these new codes signify.
