AKIZUKI class

The Akizuki destroyer class was one of the most appreciated within the Japanese Navy and earned an excellent reputation. They were conceived as AA destroyers to defend the fast carriers groups, but at the end of the War they mounted a quadruple torpedo tubes assembly in the amidship and six depth charges launchers, greatly improving anti-ship and anti-submarine roles. From 16 ships planned, only 12 were put into service, which were progressively modernized since 1943 onwards, with the installation of Type 131, Type 21 and Type 22 radars and the reinforcement of the AA artillery. Two destroyers of this class escorted battleship Yamato on her last mission, they were the IJN Fuyutsuki and IJN Suzutsuki, the last of which was damaged in the action.

AKIZUKI class and more info