JDS Kitakami

JDS Kitakami (DE-213) is the third ship of Ikazuchi-class destroyer escort of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Development and design
This class was the first JMSDF surface combatant adopted shelter-deck design. Propulsion systems varied in each vessels because the JMSDF tried to find the best way in the propulsion systems of future DEs. The design concept of this class and the CODAD propulsion system of the Kitakami-class became prototype of them of the latter DEs and DDKs such as Chikugo-class destroyer escort and Yamagumo-class destroyer.

The gun system was a scale-down version of the Ayanami-class destroyer, four 3"/50 caliber Mark 22 guns with two Mark 33 dual mounts controlled by a Mark 63 GFCS. Main air-search radar was a OPS-2, Japanese variant of the American AN/SPS-12.

Construction and career
Kitakami was laid down on 7 July 1962 at IHI Corporation, Tokyo and launched on 21 June 1963. She's commissioned on 27 February 1964 and was incorporated into the Ominato District Force with JDS Ōi.

On 31 January 1990, the 32nd Escort Corps was abolished, the type was changed to a special service ship, and the ship registration number was changed to ASU-7016. Transferred to the Ominato District Force as a ship under direct control. The long torpedo launcher has been removed due to the conversion work to the special service ship.

She was stricken on 16 November 1993.