The Hatakaze class was designed to function as a group flagship as well as a guided-missile destroyer. At 6,000 tons, the ships were large by 1980s destroyer standards, although later destroyers grew bigger. Their weapons included Standard Missile, ASROC, two 5-inch/54 guns, Phalanx close-in weapons, and triple torpedo tubes. Kawasaki-built Rolls-Royce Spey and Olympus gas turbines supplied propulsion. Hatakaze was decommissioned in March 2025, while Shimakaze became a training ship in 2021. Shimakaze was thought still to be serving when the video was recorded.
Notable Point · 1:06:46-1:09:11
Hatakaze combines group command with a heavily armed destroyer
Hatakaze combined flagship facilities and substantial armament, while later training service illustrates another use for an aging destroyer hull.