TSAMTO, June 27. On June 23, the launch ceremony of the fifth Mogami-class frigate (also known as Project 30DX, 30FFM), designed for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces, took place at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) shipyard in Nagasaki.
The ship received the name "Yahagi" (Yahagi). After launching the ship, the company will continue equipping it with the necessary equipment and preparing for tests before delivery to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces, which is scheduled for the end of 2023.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August 2017, the Japanese Agency for Procurement, Technology and Logistics ATLA (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency) selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) from two applicants as the main contractor for the creation of a project for a new class of multipurpose destroyers (frigates) 30DX (also known under the designation FFM and 30FFM). Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company, which participated in the competition, was appointed by ATLA as the main subcontractor for the project. MHI was to build the lead ship of the series, and Mitsui was to build the second frigate. The cost of one ship of the series is estimated at 48-50 billion. yen ($456.7 million).
(FFM-1) "Mogami" (Mogami) was launched at the Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works of MHI Company in Nagasaki Prefecture on March 3, 2021, later than the second ship of the series due to technical problems. Since the Mogami was ordered first, the command of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces considers it the lead in the series.
The laying of the keel (FFM-2) "Kumano" (Kumano) took place on October 30, 2019 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding in Tamano (pref.Okayama). The frigate was put into service on March 22, 2022.
For reference: in March 2021, Mitsui became part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The third frigate of the series, Noshiro, was launched by MHI in June 2021, and the fourth, Mikuma, in December 2021.
The Mogami–class frigate is a new generation ship designed to perform various tasks, including combating submarines and aerial targets, mine warfare, 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 type. The main task of the frigates will be patrolling the exclusive economic zone of Japan. The new frigates will replace the obsolete destroyers of the Abukuma, Hatsuyuki and Asagiri classes.
