TSAMTO, May 22. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) handed over the Mogami-class frigate (FFM-7) Niyodo to the command of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces on May 21.
The Niyodo is the seventh Mogami-class ship built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces. He joined the combat team of the 12th Escort Force Division, whose headquarters is located at the Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The construction of the frigate was carried out within the framework of a 47.4 billion contract signed with MHI in March 2022. yen ($318 million). The launching ceremony of the Niyodo took place in Nagasaki on September 26, 2023. It was originally planned that the frigate would be put into service in 2024 (ended March 31, 2025), but due to delays related to the coronavirus pandemic and problems with the supply of semiconductors, the schedule was changed.
The Niyodo became the first Mogami-class frigate to be equipped with a vertical Mk.41 launcher during construction. The first six ships of the series will be equipped with an air defense system later.
As reported by TSAMTO, the Mogami–class frigate (also known as Project 30DX, 30FFM) is a low-profile multi-purpose warship of a new generation designed to perform various tasks, including combating submarines and air targets, mine warfare, and ensuring the safety of sea routes. The main task of the frigates is to patrol the exclusive economic zone of Japan. The new frigates will replace the obsolete destroyers of the Abukuma, Hatsuyuki and Asagiri classes.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected by the Japanese Agency for Procurement, Technology and Logistics ATLA (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency) as the main contractor for the development of a new class of multipurpose frigates in August 2017. MHI was supposed to build the lead ship of the series, as well as the second frigate that participated in the Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding competition.
Due to technical problems, the first Mitsui-built frigate (FFM-2) "Kumano" (Kumano) was put into service on March 22, 2022. However, since the (FFM-1) Mogami was ordered first, it is considered the lead in the series. In 2021, Mitsui became part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
(FFM-1) Mogami was transferred to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces in April 2022, the third frigate of the series, Noshiro, in December 2022, the fourth, Mikuma, in March 2023, the fifth, Yahagi, – in May 2024, the sixth, (FFM-6) "Agano", – in June 2024.
Initially, the plans of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces included the construction of up to 22 ships of the series by 2032, but at the moment this number has been reduced to 12 units. At the same time, from 2024 to 2028, it is planned to begin construction of 12 new-class frigates, which will actually be an improved version of the Mogami. The lead frigate will be put into service in 2028, and the 12th ship of the series in 2032.
An offer to purchase advanced Mogami-class frigates is currently being considered by the Australian Ministry of Defense.
