TSAMTO, November 20. On November 19, the launch ceremony of the second frigate (destroyer) of the project 30DX was held at the enterprise of the Japanese shipbuilding company Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding in Tamano.
The ship, intended for delivery to the Japanese Maritime self-defense forces, will receive the name (FFM-2) "Kumano" after acceptance into service. In fact, it became the first ship of the series, as the construction of the lead ship at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) enterprise in Nagasaki was delayed due to various technical problems. It was assumed that the ship at the MHI shipyard would be launched first. The Kumano is expected to be handed over to the Japan Maritime self-defense force by March 2022.
Frigate 30DX (also known as 30FF) is a new generation warship designed to perform various tasks, including fighting submarines and air targets, mine action, and ensuring the safety of sea routes. The plans of the Japanese Maritime self-defense forces include the construction of up to 22 ships of this project. Their main task will be patrolling the exclusive economic zone of Japan. The new frigates will replace the obsolete Abukuma, Hatsuyuki, and Asagiri class destroyers.
According to the Japanese self-defense Forces, the length of the ships is about 132.5 m, width-16.3 m, draft-9 m, standard / full displacement-3900/5500 tons, crew-about 90 people. The ships will be equipped with a combined main power plant of the CODAG type, consisting of a British Rolls Royce MT30 gas turbine engine and two MAN 12v28/33D-STC diesel engines, and will be able to reach a maximum speed of more than 30 knots. The ships 'armament will include BAE Systems' 127-mm Mk.45 artillery system, two remote-controlled weapon modules with 12.7-mm machine guns, two four-container Type-17 anti-ship missile launchers, Raytheon/Diehl BGT defense SeaRAM missile launchers, and Mk.41 VPU. the Main multi-functional radar and other sensors will be placed in an integrated mast. The ship will receive modern tactical data transmission channels, a satellite communication system, a hull gas and gas with a passive towed antenna.
As reported by TSAMTO in August 2017, the Japanese Agency for procurement, technology and logistics ATLA (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency) announced the selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as the main contractor for the project of a new class of multi-purpose destroyers (frigates) 30DX. ATLA also selected Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company as the main subcontractor for the project. The cost of one ship in the series is estimated at 48-50 billion rubles. yen ($456.7 million), an increase of $ 25 billion. the yen is cheaper than a conventional modern destroyer.
MHI's offer was considered the best in comparison to that presented by Mitsui and Japan Marine United Corporation. However, back in February, ATLA said that the remaining participants will receive a share of the work in the construction of new destroyers to prevent the closure of shipbuilding companies and the loss of production capacity. ATLA reported that MHI will build the lead ship of the series, and Mitsui will build the second frigate.
