Japan commissions lead ship of new stealth frigate class

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned its newest stealth frigate into service on Thursday, April 28.

Named after a river in Yamagata prefecture, JS Mogami is also the lead ship of its class. However, it is the second in the class to be commissioned, as sister ship JS Kumano was the first to formally enter service earlier in March.

Mogami was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It measures 130 by 16 metres and is powered by a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and two MAN diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) arrangement that delivers a speed of over 30 knots.

Armament includes a 127-millimetre naval gun, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, and mines.