Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Japan’s MHI launches ‘Mogami’ 「もがみ」first-in-class 30FFM Frigate for the JMSDF

Japan’s MHI launches ‘Mogami’ 「もがみ」first-in-class 30FFM Frigate for the JMSDF

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki launched today "Mogami", the first-in-class 30FFM, a next generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Xavier Vavasseur 03 Mar 2021

Yoshihiro Inaba  attended the launch ceremony in Nagasaki and contributed to this story.

While another shipyard, Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding located in Okayama launched the second ship of the class, Kumano, back in November 2020, Mogami is the first ship of the 30FFM class. This is because Mitsui E&S received a subcontracting order from MHI (the main contractor) for the construction of the 3,900-ton frigate for the JMSDF.

Mogami is the first ship of the 30FFM class
Mogami is the first ship of the 30FFM class. Yoshihiro Inaba picture.

The vessel is named after the Mogami River (最上川, Mogami-gawa) located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. According to the JMSDF “The Mogami River is said to be the “Mother’s River” because it brings many blessings to people.” (最上川は、人々に多くの恵みをもたらしていることから〝母なる大河”と言われています。) The shipyard will now proceed to the fitting out stage of the frigate, ahead of its delivery and commissioning set for 2022

30FFM (also known as FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the first two frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama.

30FFM characteristics

Japan’s MHI launches Mogami first-in-class 30FFM Frigate for the JMSDF 2
Launch ceremony of “Mogami”, the first-in-class ship 30FFM at the MHI shipyard in Nagasaki. Yoshihiro Inaba picture.

According to MHI, the 30FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters and a beam of 16.3 meters. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The 30FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below.

  • BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch naval gun system ×1
  • Japan Steel Works 12.7mm Remote Weapon System ×2
  • Mk.41 VLS (fitted for but not with)
  • Raytheon SeaRAM ×1
  • MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8
  • Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
  • Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3EO/IR sensors
  • Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
  • NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (VDS/TASS)
  • UUV (OZZ-5 by MHI) and USV (unknown type) for mine counter measures
  • Sea mines for offensive mine warfare

Yoshihiro Inaba  attended the launch ceremony in Nagasaki and will publish soon a more detailed article about Mogami. Meanwhile you can learn more about the 30FFM class with the in-depth feature we published last year.

30FFM Japan JMSDF Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 2021-03-03
Tags 30FFM Japan JMSDF Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

Related Articles

Japan to increase the number of Aegis destroyers

Japan to increase the number of Aegis destroyers

Yoshihiro Inaba 03 Jan 2023
On December 16, 2022, the Japanese government approved three security-related documents, including a new national security strategy.
Modification work on JS Kaga nears Completion

Modification work on JS Kaga nears Completion

Yoshihiro Inaba 28 Dec 2022
Modification work to turn Japan's JS Kaga "helicopter destroyer" into a F-35B aircraft carrier are nearing completion at a dock in Kure City.
Japanese MoD releases further details about its future BMD destroyers

Japanese MoD releases further details about its future BMD destroyers

Naval News Staff 25 Dec 2022
On December 23, the Japanese MoD released its budget request for FY2023 in which we can learn further details about Japan's future ballistic missile defense (BMD) destroyers, also known as ASEV (Aegis system-equipped vessels).

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved