The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced on July 31 that it conducted a goodwill exercise with the Algerian Navy (AN) on July 30. This marks the first-ever joint naval exercise between Japan and Algeria.
The exercise took place in the waters near Algeria and involved the JMSDF training ships JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze. The announcement was made via JMSDF’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting the participation of these key vessels.
Photos released by the Japanese Navy revealed that Algeria’s Adhafer-class corvette El Fateh, built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), was involved in the exercise.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) said, “We successfully promoted friendship and mutual understanding with the Algerian Navy.”
While the specific tasks performed during the exercise were not disclosed, the joint drill is part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Overseas Training Cruise 2024.
This Overseas Training Cruise 2024 aims to provide trainee officers with practical, on-the-job training, enhance their understanding of international naval operations, and foster global awareness through collaborative exercises with foreign navies.
The mission, which runs from May 20 to November 11, spans approximately 175 days and covers a distance of about 35,000 nautical miles (65,000 kilometers).
🇯🇵🇩🇿30 JUL, the Overseas Training Cruise units #JS_KASHIMA , #JS_SHIMAKAZE conducted a goodwill exercise with the Algerian Navy (AN) in the vicinity of Algeria.
This is the first ex with AN.
We successfully promoted friendship and mutual understanding with the AN. pic.twitter.com/q9r1XoWgWO— Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (@jmsdf_pao_eng) July 31, 2024
The mission is led by Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, Commander of the Training Squadron, and involves around 570 personnel, including approximately 190 graduates of the 74th General Officer Candidate Course, with 30 female officers among them.
The mission’s ports of call include Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Seychelles, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Türkiye, the Kingdom of Spain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Mexican States.
Since its inception in 1957, the Overseas Training Cruise has been conducted annually, with 2024 marking the 68th iteration of this significant program.
Following the exercise with the Algerian Navy, the JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze are scheduled to make a port visit to Naples, Italy, from August 2 to 5, as stated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Chinese-Built Adhafer-Class Corvette
The Adhafer-class corvette represents a significant advancement in Algeria’s naval capabilities, blending stealth technology with robust combat features.
Designed and constructed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) at its Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, these ships reflect the latest in modern naval engineering.
The Adhafer-class corvettes elevate the Algerian Navy’s capabilities by combining stealth features with advanced weaponry, significantly advancing the country’s maritime defense.
Each Adhafer-class corvette measures 120 meters (393 feet 8 inches) in length and 14.4 meters (47 feet 3 inches) in width, with a standard displacement of 2,880 tons. When fully loaded, the displacement reaches up to 3,000 tons. Algeria procured three vessels of this class from Beijing.
The first unit, Adhafer (920), was launched on August 15, 2014, and entered service in November 2015. The second and third ships, El Fateh (921) and Ezzadjer (922) were commissioned in March and August of 2016, respectively.
One of the standout features of the Adhafer class is its stealth design. The corvette employs a “low point” hull configuration combined with radar-absorbing paint to minimize its radar cross-section.
Unconventionally, the vessel lacks a traditional funnel stack; instead, diesel exhausts are expelled near the waterline, reducing infrared signatures.
The corvette is equipped with two sets of fin stabilizers and bilge keels to enhance stability and performance. It boasts a top speed of approximately 30 knots (56 km/h or 35 mph) and is powered by four German MTU diesel engines.
The Adhafer-class corvette’s combat systems are predominantly Chinese, though they include several Western elements. The ship is armed with an Italian 76 mm NG-16-1 naval cannon housed in a reduced radar cross-section turret, capable of engaging both surface targets and aerial threats.
For air defense, the vessel carries HQ-7 naval short-range missiles in an eight-cell FM90 launcher. These missiles have a range of 700 meters to 15 kilometers and an operational altitude of 15 meters to 6,000 meters.
Additionally, the Corvette is equipped with C-802A anti-ship missiles in two quad launchers, which can have a striking range of up to 280 kilometers.
Two seven-barrel 30 mm Type 730 CIWS, each with a high rate of fire between 4,600 and 5,800 rounds per minute, ensure close-in defense. These systems offer a robust shield against incoming threats, enhancing the Corvette’s overall defensive capabilities.
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