Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) held a naming and launching ceremony on July 2 for Tatsuta, the eleventh Mogami-class stealth frigate being built for Japan's Ministry of Defence. The ceremony took place at the company's Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works.
The 3,900-tonne Tatsuta was ordered in fiscal year 2023 and is named after the Tatsuta River in Nara Prefecture. The launch follows that of its sister ship, Nagara, which was also launched in Nagasaki in December 2024.
Following the launch, the vessel will undergo outfitting work on its hull, engine, electrical equipment, and weapons systems. The Tatsuta is scheduled to be handed over to the Ministry of Defence in fiscal year 2026.
As of writing, eight out of twelve Mogami-class stealth frigates have been delivered to the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force. The most recent one of these being the Yubetsu, which was delivered on June 19 at MHI's Tamano yard.