# Sugashima-class minesweeper

The Sugashima class is a class of coastal minesweepers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

## Development

From the lessons learned in the 1991 dispatch of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to the Persian Gulf, the JMSDF took the example of the Royal Navy's Sandown-class minehunter, built after the 1994 plan especially in order to improve its capabilities regarding mine clearance. However, due to the fact that Sandown-class was basically a minesweeper that did not have minesweeping ability and the fact that the waters around Japan have many muddy seabeds that are not suitable for minesweeping, the abandonment of minesweeping ability was unacceptable to the JMSDF. For these reasons, the ships have the ability to sweep with Australian-made DYAD-sensitive minesweepers, but, due to magnetic management issues, it was decided that it would not be installed all the time but would be received from a mother ship at sea as needed. Operational restrictions were large, and mobility was also restricted.

## Ships in the class

| Pennant no. | Name | Builders | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Home port |
| MSC-681 | Sugashima | Universal Shipbuilding Corporation, Keihin | 8 May 1996 | 25 August 1997 | 16 March 1999 | 15 March 2023 | Maizuru |
| MSC-682 | Notojima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 8 May 1996 | 3 September 1997 | 16 March 1999 | 12 June 2020, after collision with civilian cargo ship on 26 June 2019 | Maizuru |
| MSC-683 | Tsunoshima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 7 August 1997 | 22 October 1998 | 13 March 2000 | 3 March 2024 | Kure |
| MSC-684 | Naoshima | Nippon Kokan, Keihin | 17 April 1998 | 7 October 1999 | 16 March 2001 | | Kure |
| MSC-685 | Toyoshima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 26 April 1999 | 13 September 2000 | 14 March 2002 | | Sasebo |
| MSC-686 | Ukushima | Nippon Kokan, Keihin | 17 May 2000 | 17 September 2001 | 18 March 2003 | Sunk off Oshima 10 November 2024 after catching fire in engine room & capsizing, one sailor (Petty Officer Third Class Tatsunori Koga) killed | Sasebo |
| MSC-687 | Izushima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 27 April 2000 | 31 October 2001 | 18 March 2003 | | Ominato |
| MSC-688 | Aishima | Nippon Kokan, Keihin | 17 April 2001 | 8 October 2002 | 26 February 2004 | | Maizuru |
| MSC-689 | Aoshima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 15 April 2002 | 16 September 2003 | 9 February 2005 | | Ominato |
| MSC-690 | Miyajima | Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kanagawa | 28 May 2002 | 10 October 2003 | 9 February 2005 | | Kure |
| MSC-691 | Shishijima | Universal Shipbuilding Corporation, Keihin | 23 May 2003 | 29 September 2004 | 8 February 2006 | | Sasebo |
| MSC-692 | Kuroshima | Universal Shipbuilding Corporation, Keihin | 12 May 2004 | 31 August 2005 | 23 February 2007 | | Sasebo |

## Citations

* ↑ Self-Defense Forces Equipment Yearbook 2006-2007. Asagumo Shimbun. 15 July 2006. pp. 250–251. ISBN 4-7509-1027-9.
* ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
* ↑ Details of the new minesweeper Hirashima, Ships of the World. Vol. 694. Japan: Gaijinsha. August 2008. pp. 154–159.
* ↑ Takahashi, Yoichi (May 2013). Mine Warships (Special Feature: Maritime Self-Defense Force's New Weapons)-(Notable New Weapons), Ships of the World. Vol. 778. Japan: Gaijinsha. pp. 92–97.
* ↑ "Japon: collision entre un dragueur de mines et un cargo". Le Marin. 27 June 2019.
* ↑ Laurent Lagneau (11 November 2024). "Le dragueur de mines japonais JS Ukushima a coulé après avoir pris feu". Opex360.
* ↑ Mahadzir, Dzirhan (11 November 2024). "Japanese Minesweeper Sinks in Port, Sailor Missing; Advanced Russian Attack Sub Spotted Near Japan". Retrieved 26 January 2025.
* ↑ "X tweet". Retrieved 26 January 2025.