Japan orders new generation of Mogami frigates

Japan continues to expand its fleet of new generation frigates. The Ministry of Defence concluded a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build three further units of developed variant type Mogami. This is the next stage of the program, which is intended to strengthen JMSDF and at the same time increases the export potential of the Japanese project.

Three more frigates for the Japanese fleet

On April 15, the Japanese Ministry of Defence revealed details of a contract worth 128.6 billion yen, or about $808 million. The contract includes the construction of a frigate marked as FFM-15, FFM-16 and FFM-17.

This is no longer a single order, but a further implementation of a larger programme. Last year, the Ministry of Defence of Japan concluded a contract with the same contractor for the first two units of the new series. To cover the whole ten frigatesto enter service successively by 2028.

Development of Mogami frigate

New frigates are presented as a development of the existing type Mogami. Instead of building a completely new structure, Japan chose to further improve the already implemented project. Such a course usually reduces the risk of the program, while introducing more quickly ships to the line.

The revealed data shows that new frigate class ships will be significantly larger than earlier frigates of this type. The new variant is expected to have approximately 4800 tonnes of standard displacement and about 6200 tonnes of full displacement, with a length of approximately 142 m and a width of 17 m. This is more than in the base type Mogami, which has about 3,900 tons of standard displacement and a total of about 5500 tons.

The same parameters show that it is not about cosmetic changes, but about a ship with more combat potential and more possibilities for further modernisation.

Larger ship, high speed

The project provides for a gym in the CODG circuit. The maximum speed is to exceed 30 knots, which should be considered as a very good result at such sizes.

In practice, this means that the Japanese want to maintain a combination of robust weapons, adequate marine courage and high maneuverability. This is relevant for ships intended to carry out a wide range of tasks, from escorts to submarines (ZOP) and anti-aircraft defense.

Armed with new multitasking frigates

According to the given information, ships are to receive a single BAE Systems Mk 45 Mod.4 caliber 127 mm cannon and a 32-chamber vertical launcher. There will also be a SeaRAM kit on board, as well as anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Such a set of weapons confirms the multitasking character of the frigate.

This weaponry system does not matter. It can be seen that Japan is consistently building ships designed to operate in a full spectrum of threats, without limiting them to one specialization.

Helicopter as an important part of the combat system

The project also provides for a landing and hangar for multi-purpose SH-60L Seahawk helicopter, produced in Japan under an American licence.

This solution significantly increases the possibility of frigates, especially in the field of combating submarines and conducting reconnaissance. The onboard helicopter gives the ship a greater range of observation and allows it to operate further from its own team or shielded units.

For modern multitasking frigates, this is not an addition, but one of the basic elements of the combat system.

The program clearly enters the next phase

Ordering three more units shows that the Japanese program new frigate He's already entered the next phase. There's no immediate action. Tokyo is consistently developing a series of ships that are expected to become an important element of the Japanese Marine Defense Forces (JMSDF) in the coming years.

From a ship industry perspective, it is equally important that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries remains the contractor. This means maintaining the continuity of production and further strengthening national capabilities in the construction of modern warships.