Japan’s 3rd Mogami-class frigate enters service

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has held a commissioning ceremony for the navy’s third Mogami-class frigate.

As informed, the ceremony took place Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) shipyard Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works on 15 December. The newest vessel of this class was named Noshiro.

JS Noshiro, which is named after the Japanese river Noshiro, was launched in June 2021.

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.