Aoshima 05187 J.M.S.D.F. OIL SUPPLY SHIP MASHU

The Mashu is a modern Japanese supply and support vessel for the Japanese Navy Self-Defense Forces. The launch took place in February 2003 and commissioned in March 2004. The total length of the ship is 221 meters, the overall width is 27 meters, and the full displacement is about 25,000 tons. The maximum speed does not exceed 25 knots. The drive is provided by two Rolls-Royce Kawasaki Spey SM1C gas turbines. The crew consists of 145 people. Mashu, along with her sister ship Omi, form a class of two supply units with the same name as the presented unit. Mashu-class ships are essentially a modernization of Towada-class ships. The main changes mainly concern the significant enlargement of the units and the increase in the carrying capacity of the materials they are taking for other ships in the combat group. Mashu-class ships also have not only an air deck, but also their own hangar that allows them to independently operate the helicopters.