Japan's fourth Awaji-class minesweeper commissioned into service

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned a new mine countermeasures (MCM) vessel into service in a ceremony in Yokohama City on Wednesday, March 12.

JS Nomi, which has been named after two islands in Hiroshima Bay, is the fourth MCM vessel in the Awaji-class. Construction of the vessel was undertaken by Japan Marine United.

Like its sisters, the MCM vessel has an FRP hull, an LOA of 67 metres, a beam of 11 metres, a draught of 5.2 metres, a displacement of 690 tonnes, a crew of 50, and two 1,640kW diesel engines that deliver a speed of 14 knots.

FRP was selected for the Awaji-class ships' hulls due to its lower weight, its improved resistance to corrosion, and its reduced magnetic signature. Notable features include an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) for MCM duties and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for intelligence gathering, and a mine disposal system.

The JMSDF expects that each Awaji-class ship will have an operational life of 30 years whereas each of the service's wooden-hulled MCM vessels has an operational life of 20 years.