JDS Azuma

JDS Azuma (あずま) was a Japanese destroyer escort (DE) of the Chikugo-class operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Built by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, she was commissioned on March 27, 1973 and decommissioned on November 7, 2001.

As a destroyer escort, JDS Azuma's primary role was anti-submarine warfare (ASW), providing a screen for larger warships and patrolling maritime areas. She participated in numerous exercises and patrols throughout her service life, contributing to Japan's maritime defense.

The Chikugo-class destroyer escorts were designed to be cost-effective and reliable platforms for ASW duties in the post-war JMSDF. They were characterized by their relatively small size, simple design, and focus on basic ASW capabilities. JDS Azuma, like her sister ships, played a vital role in maintaining maritime security in the waters surrounding Japan. After her decommissioning, she was likely scrapped or repurposed.