title: Tsurugi-class patrol vessel
text: # Tsurugi-class patrol vessel
  
  The Tsurugi class (Japanese: つるぎ型巡視船) is a class of small patrol vessel of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). The development of this class was one of the earliest attempts of the JCG to deal with spy boats from North Korea. In March 1999, the JCG tried to intercept vessels of unknown nationality suspected to be North Korean, but the unknown vessels were too fast, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had to be called to intercept the unknown vessels. As a consequence of this failure, JCG realized their need for high speed interceptors.
  
  The Tsurugi class is referred to as High-speed, special-purpose patrol vessels (高速特殊警備船, Koutoku-sen). Planned as the top-tier of JCG intercept spy boats, this class features very high speed and accurate firepower. Its weaponry includes a JM61 20 mm Gatling gun, and a Remote Firing System consisting of a remote weapon system with a laser-optical fire-control system.
  
  In the Battle of Amami-Ōshima, the combination of the 20 mm gun with the RFS proved its worth, but it became clear that its effective range was insufficient against weapons on board the North Korean spy boats such as 9K38 Igla MANPADS and B-10 recoilless rifle. In response, the JCG intends to organize mobile flotillas combining Tsurugi-class ships with vessels of the Hida and Aso classes, which have Bofors 40 mm L/70 autocannons.
  
  ## Ships in the class
  
  Ships in the class :
  
  | Pennant number | Ship name | Builder | Commission | Homeport |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | PS201 | Tsurugi | Hitachi Zosen Corporation | 15 February 2001 | Sakata |
  | PS202 | Hotaka | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | 16 March 2001 | Maizuru |
  | PS203 | Norikura | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding | 16 March 2001 | Kanazawa |
  | PS204 | Kaimon | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding | 21 April 2004 | Naze |
  | PS205 | Asama | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding | 21 April 2004 | Hamada |
  | PS206 | Houou | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding | 17 January 2005 | Nagasaki |
  