MHI officially launches seventh Mogami class FFM frigate Niyodo for Japan.

According to a tweet published by the Japanese MoD on September 26, 2023, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Nagasaki Shipyard, the naming and launching ceremony for the seventh Mogami-class frigate was held. It was named "Niyodo" after the mainstream of the Niyodo River that flows through Ehime and Kochi prefectures.
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Japanese Mogami class frigate JS Niyodo. (Picture source: JMSDF)

The Mogami-class frigate, known by various names such as 30FFM and 30DX, is a stealth multi-mission frigate for Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Funding for its development was allocated in the 2015 Japanese defense budget, which also marked the year Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) showcased its initial concept.

By August 2017, MHI and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding were chosen to oversee the ship's construction, aiming to replace older vessels like the Asagiri-class destroyers.

Construction started in 2018, with a total of 22 units projected by 2032. However, plans changed, and as of January 2023, only 12 units of the Mogami-class are expected to be built by the fiscal year Reiwa 5.

The Mogami-class ships have a standard displacement of 3,900 tons, which increases to 5,500 tons at full load. Their length measures 133 meters with a beam of 16.3 meters.

For propulsion, they rely on a CODAG system, incorporating a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and two MAN Diesel V28/33DD STC engines, enabling them to reach speeds exceeding 30 knots.

These ships are designed to carry two RHIBs, UUVs, and USVs, with a crew complement of 90. They feature various sensors and processing systems such as the OPY-2 X-band multi-purpose AESA radar, the OAX-3 EO/IR system, the OQQ-25 with VDS + TASS for ASW, the OQQ-11 mine-hunting sonar, the OYQ-1 combat management system, and the OYX-1-29 console display system.

They come equipped with the NOLQ-3E passive radar system that integrates electronic attack capability into its main radar antenna, and a chaff dispenser for missile deterrence.

Their armament includes a 5-inch Mk-45 Mod 4 naval gun, missile canisters for 8 Type 17 anti-ship missiles, a SeaRAM, Type 12 torpedoes, simplified mine-laying equipment, 16 Mk-41 VLS, the naval version of Type 03 Chū-SAM, Type 07 VLA, and two remote weapon stations. The frigates have a single hangar that can house a SH-60L helicopter.