Japanese concern Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched the third frigate of a new generation - "Noshiro". According to Naval News, it is to become part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 2022.
Today, Japan is actively developing its military-industrial complex and building new ships. Last year, the Japanese navy received the first new-generation missile defense destroyer and the world's first lithium-ion battery-powered submarine . The authorities attribute the militarization to territorial disputes with South Korea, China's new technologies, Russian infrastructure on the disputed Kuril Islands, and Pyongyang's nuclear program.
In 2017, the Japanese authorities launched the 30FFM project to build a new generation of multi-purpose Mogami-class frigates to replace the Asagiri-class destroyers. They are developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsui E & S. Last year, the second ship of the 30FFM project, the Kumano, was launched, and in March 2021, the head ship, the Mogami, was completed. In total, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces are waiting for 22 such frigates.
It is assumed that the project ships will have a standard displacement of 3,900 tons, a length of 130 meters and a width of 16 meters. They will travel at speeds above 30 knots. The crew on the frigates will be small, only about 90 sailors, which indicates a high level of automation of the ship.
The launch ceremony of the third frigate of the new generation — "Noshiro"— was held on June 22 in Nagasaki. It was named after the river. The ship received a Mk 45 caliber 127 artillery launcher, a SeaRAM missile launcher, torpedo tubes, and a launcher for dipole reflectors. It also has a helicopter hangar. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to adopt the frigate in 2022.
22 JUN, the naming and launch ceremony was held at Nagasaki Works, MHI. The newest FFM was named "NOSHIRO", the 3rd MOGAMI class. Her name comes from Noshiro River where located in AKITA. The Noshiro River has supported tens of thousands people since ancient times. #motherriver pic.twitter.com/2clVVXs5zl
— Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (@jmsdf_pao_eng) June 22, 2021
In addition to the construction of the Megumi frigates, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries continues to develop the fifth-generation F-X fighter from scratch. It should replace the aging Mitsubishi F-2s in the Japanese military.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva
