TSAMTO, March 9. On March 7, the Nagasaki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems hosted the ceremony of the transfer and commissioning of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces fleet of the Mogami-class frigate Mikuma.
For reference: The Mogami class is also known as the 30DX and 30FFM project.The Mikuma is the fourth ship of the Mogami class.
It was launched by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on December 10, 2021.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August 2017, the Japanese Agency for Procurement, Technology and Logistics ATLA (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency) selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main contractor for the development 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 the ATLA Agency as the main subcontractor of 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 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 frigate of the series.
Laid down in October 2019 at the Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding shipyard in Tamano (pref.Okayama), the frigate (FFM-2) "Kumano" (Kumano) was put into service on March 22, 2022. In March 2021, Mitsui became part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The third frigate of the series, Noshiro, was transferred to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces on December 15, 2022.
In December 2021, MHI launched the fourth frigate, Mikuma, in June 2022 – the fifth, Yahagi, in December 2022 - the sixth, Agano.
The Mogami–class frigate is a new generation warship designed to perform various tasks, including combating submarines and air 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 frigates of this type. The main task of the ships is to patrol the exclusive economic zone of Japan. The new frigates will replace the obsolete destroyers of the Abukuma, Hatsuyuki and Asagiri classes.
According to MHI, the length of the Mogami-class frigate is 132.5 m, width – 16.3 m, draft – 9 m, standard/full displacement – 3900/5500 tons, crew – about 90 people. The frigate is 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. The maximum speed is more than 30 knots. The armament includes a 127-mm artillery installation Mk.45 mod.4 by BAE Systems, two remotely controlled weapon modules with 12.7 mm machine guns, two four-container launchers of Type-17 anti-ship missiles, a SeaRAM missile launcher manufactured by Raytheon/Diehl BGT Defense, a Mk.41 VPU, sea mines. The main multifunctional OPY-2 radar and other sensors are located in an integrated mast. The ship received modern tactical data transmission channels, a satellite communication system, a hull gas mine detection and GAS with a passive towed antenna.
