護ご衛えい艦かん

noun

escort vessel; destroyer (JMSDF)

In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, this term officially designates destroyers and other large escort ships, though it literally means 'escort vessel'.

• 海かい上じょう自じ衛えい隊たいの護ご衛えい艦かん「いずも」は、事じ実じつ上じょうの空くう母ぼとしても運うん用よう可か能のうだ。

  The JMSDF escort vessel 'Izumo' can also be operated as a de facto aircraft carrier.

• 護ご衛えい艦かんは、艦かん隊たいの防ぼう空くうや対たい潜せん哨しょう戒かいを担になう。

  Escort vessels are responsible for fleet air defense and anti-submarine patrols.