Japan’s MHI Launches 10th Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the newest frigate, the tenth of a deliberate fleet of 12 Mogami-class multirole frigates, for the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Power (JMSDF).

Named Nagara, the 133 meter-long vessel (pennant quantity FFM-10) entered the water in a ceremony held on December 19 on the firm’s Nagasaki Shipyard and Equipment Works in Nagasaki Prefecture. It’s anticipated to enter service with the JMSDF in March 2026. 

The latest frigate was named after the Nagara River in central Japan, which was additionally the identify of the lead ship of the Nagara class of sunshine cruiser within the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Outfitted with compact hulls, JS Nagara is being constructed for about 51.4 billion yen ($327 million) below a contract awarded in March 2023, in accordance with an MHI press launch. As with the opposite ships of the category, the three,900-tonne vessel may have a beam of 16.3 meters and a hull draught of 9 m.

As China expands the scale and capabilities of its naval and air forces, Japan is striving to defend the southwestern Nansei Islands, together with the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands within the East China Sea. A part of that efforts consists of procuring extra compact, missile-laden frigates at a speedy tempo to counter its neighbor successfully. The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are managed by Japan but in addition claimed by China and Taiwan.

As well as, Russia has been more and more sending naval and air forces to the seas surrounding the Japanese archipelago for each joint workout routines with China and its personal unbiased actions.

The Mogami-class frigate, also called 30FFM, is the JMSDF’s stealthy multi-mission frigate, meant for surveillance missions in waters surrounding Japanese islands. It’s geared up with enhanced multirole capabilities, together with the power to conduct anti-mine warfare operations.

Most notably, the Mogami class solely wants about 90 crew members (out of whom 10 are feminine), lower than half the crew complement of destroyer-type vessels such because the Asahi class, which has a crew complement of 230 sailors.

Powered by a mixed diesel and fuel (CODAG) propulsion system that includes two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and one Rolls-Royce MT30 fuel turbine, the Mogami-class frigates are anticipated to be able to attaining a high velocity of greater than 30 knots. The Mogami class marks the primary instalment of a CODAG system on any JMSDF ship.

The JMSDF plans to construct a complete of 12 Mogami-class frigates. From fiscal 12 months 2024 to 2028, Japan will earmark funds to accumulate the upgraded Mogami-class vessels, known as the New FFMs (also called 06FFM). The primary of the upgraded class of frigates is scheduled to be commissioned in fiscal 12 months 2028, and if development proceeds easily, all 12 New FFMs will probably be in service inside by fiscal 12 months 2032.

The Japanese Protection Ministry stated the new-class FFM will probably be fitted with longer-range missiles, enhanced anti-submarine capabilities, and improved capabilities for numerous maritime operations. Particularly, the ship-launched, improved model of the Sort 12 Floor-to-Ship Missile (SSM) and the brand new ship-to-air guided missile (or just A-SAM) will probably be geared up on the New FFM, protection officers stated. The variety of Mk.41 vertical launching system (VLS) cells, which function missile launchers, may even be doubled from 16 on the Mogami class to 32 on the New FFM.

With higher anti-aircraft and search capabilities, the New FFM turns into nearer to a missile frigate (FFG).

In August 2023, the Protection Ministry’s Acquisition, Expertise & Logistics Company (ATLA) chosen MHI and Japan Marine United because the prime contractor and subcontractor individually to assemble the New FFM.

The ministry has earmarked 174 billion yen in within the present fiscal 12 months funds for the development of first two New FFMs. In August 2024, it requested 314 billion yen to construct three New FFMs for the fiscal 12 months 2025 funds. 

Requesting development prices for 3 New FFMs in a single 12 months could be very uncommon, as a result of the Protection Ministry has up to now secured the funds just for both two Mogami-class FFMs or two New FFMs yearly. The ultimate funds for fiscal 12 months 2025 will probably be launched subsequent week.