Japan’s fifth Mogami-class frigate hits the water

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has held a naming and launching ceremony for the navy’s fifth Mogami-class frigate.

As informed, the ceremony took place Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) shipyard Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works on 23 June. The newest vessel of this class was named Yahagi.

The fourth vessel, Mikuma, was floated out in December last year.

JS Kumano, the second ship in the class, was built at subcontractor Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding’s (Mitsui E&S) Tamano shipyard. The ship was launched on 19 November 2020. The ship entered into service in March this year. The commissioning ceremony took place at MHI’s shipyard.

The lead ship, JS Mogami, was launched and named at MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works on 3 March 2021.

The next-gen frigates feature a length of 130 meters and a width of 16 meters. Powered by a combined diesel and gas propulsion system with two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine, the Mogami-class vessels are expected to be capable of attaining a top speed of at least 30 knots.

The multirole frigates will be more compact for operations near the shores of Japan. They will be deployed on international peace and humanitarian missions in addition to performing anti-piracy activities. The vessels will also have mine countermeasure capabilities.