Japan’s tenth Mogami-class stealth frigate floated out

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched the future JS Nagara, the tenth of a planned 12 Mogami-class stealth frigates ordered by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), at its Nagasaki facilities on Thursday, December 19.

Like its sisters, the future Nagara will measure 130 by 16 metres and displace approximately 5,500 tonnes at full load. Power will be provided by a Rolls-Royce gas turbine and two MAN diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) arrangement to deliver speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Armament will include a 127mm naval gun, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, machine guns on remote weapon stations, and mines.

The Mogami-class frigates were developed in response to the JMSDF's need for multi-role surface combatants to replace the Asagiri-class destroyers and Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were originally designed in the 1980s. The newer frigates also needed to possess nearly similar capabilities as the Akizuki-class destroyers but with smaller crew complements and fewer missile launchers.

The new frigates will be used on patrol and surveillance missions. Their area of operations will also include the East China Sea, particularly the waters surrounding the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.