The Ashigara (DDG-178) is a modern Japanese missile destroyer, the keel of which was laid in 2005, launched in August 2006, and commissioned in 2008. The total length of the ship is 170 meters and a width of 21 meters. Full displacement probably slightly exceeds 10,000 tons, and the maximum speed is around 30-31 knots. The destroyer is armed with: 2 VLS Mk. 41 - one 32-guide and one 64-guide, two Type 90 (SSM-1B) rocket launchers, a single 127mm Mark 45 cannon or two 20mm Vulcan Phalanx kits. The ship also uses one Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopter.
Ashigara (DDG-178) is the second destroyer belonging to the Atago class. These types of units were designed and built as an extension of the Congo-class in order to complement them in the line. Compared to their predecessors, they are slightly longer and have a slightly higher displacement. However, they have reinforced rocket armament, they also have a hangar for an on-board helicopter. The 127 mm gun was also modernized, as was the electronic equipment, which is based on the modernized version of the AEGIS system, which works with the AN / SPY-1D (V) radar. Generally, ships of this class have very similar combat capabilities to the American destroyers of the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA class. The Ashigara (DDG-178) was built at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki. The unit, shortly after entering service, took part in a rescue and humanitarian operation in the northern part of the island of Honshu, caused by the earthquake and tsunami wave in 2011. In April 2017, the unit operated in the Korean Peninsula as part of the American combat team in connection with the increase in political tension caused by DPRK's nuclear tests. The individual is in active service.