noun
JMSDF ship; Self-Defense Force ship
Official term for a vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Used in military and news contexts.
自衛艦が災害派遣で被災地に向かった。
A Self-Defense Force ship headed to the disaster area on a relief mission.
海上自衛隊の自衛艦は多様な任務をこなす。
JMSDF ships carry out a variety of missions.
艦艇 is a general term for naval vessels, not limited to the Self-Defense Forces.
Compound of 自衛 (self-defense) and 艦 (warship). The term was coined after the establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to refer to their maritime vessels.