The Kongō-class destroyer is a class of fast battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the early 20th century. Designed for speed and firepower, these ships were launched between 1913 and 1917 and played a significant role in naval warfare during World War I and World War II. Originally classified as battlecruisers, the Kongō-class ships were later reclassified as battleships due to their heavy armament and armor. The class includes four ships: Kongō, Hiei, Haruna, and Kirishima, all of which were modernized throughout their service to enhance their combat capabilities.