The JMSDF commissioned JS Kumano, the primary of a deliberate fleet of twenty-two Mogami-class multirole frigates, in a ceremony held on March 22 in Okayama Prefecture in western Japan.
Credit score: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The Japan Maritime Self-Protection Pressure (JMSDF) commissioned the primary of a deliberate fleet of twenty-two Mogami-class multirole frigates in a ceremony held on March 22 in Okayama Prefecture in western Japan.
Named Kumano (with pennant quantity FFM-2), the 132.5 meter-long vessel was inducted into the Mine Warfare Pressure, whose headquarters is positioned on the Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture, shortly after being handed over by shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Methods at its facility in Tamano Metropolis.
As neighboring China expands the dimensions and capabilities of its naval forces, Japan plans to defend the southwestern Nansei Islands, together with the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands within the East China Sea, by boosting its patrol actions. The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are managed by Japan but additionally claimed by China and Taiwan.
Outfitted with compact hulls, JS Kumano was constructed for about 46 billion yen ($382 million) beneath a contract awarded in October 2018, in keeping with the JMSDF. As with the opposite ships of the category, the three,900-tonne vessel could have a crew complement of about 90, a beam of 16.3 m, and a hull draught of 9 m.
Kumano, which was launched in November 2020, is definitely the second vessel of the category ordered by service. The primary – named Mogami (pennant quantity FFM-1) – was initially scheduled to even be launched the identical month, however development of the ship on the MHI’s facility in Nagasaki Metropolis has been delayed because of points with the frigate’s gasoline turbine engine. JS Mogami is anticipated to enter service with the JMSDF subsequent month.
The JMSDF nonetheless regards Kumano because the second of this class, though it was commissioned first. Because of this, Mogami is the name-ship of the category.
Kumano was named after the Kumano River working by means of Nara, Wakayama, and Mie Prefectures in central Japan. It additionally was the title borne by a heavy cruiser within the Imperial Japanese Navy.
A JMSDF spokesperson mentioned the brand new frigate class would require fewer crewmembers and that, in contrast with different JMSDF ships, development prices will likely be decrease because of its compact measurement.
Powered by a mixed diesel and gasoline (CODAG) propulsion system that includes two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and one Rolls-Royce MT30 gasoline turbine, the Mogami-class warships are anticipated to be able to attaining a high pace of not less than 30 kt.
Armament on the frigates is anticipated to incorporate the navalized model of the Sort-03 (also called the Chu-SAM Kai) medium-range, surface-to-air missile, a 5-inch (127 mm)/62-calibre gun, canister-launched anti-ship missiles, and a SeaRAM close-in weapon system that’s anticipated to make use of upgraded RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missiles.
The ships, every of which will likely be able to embarking one helicopter in addition to an unmanned underwater car (UUV), may also be outfitted with a vertical launch system (VLS) and an unmanned floor car (USV), each of which can see the primary installment on any Japanese frigate ever.
The frigates may also be outfitted with variable depth sonar and towed array sonar programs for anti-submarine warfare operations.
In accordance with the JMSDF, this new frigate class, which is meant for surveillance missions in waters surrounding the Japanese archipelago, together with the East China Sea, will likely be outfitted with enhanced multirole capabilities, together with the power to conduct anti-mine warfare operations, which till now have been carried out by the JMSDF’s ocean-going minesweepers.
The JMSDF spokesperson mentioned Tokyo plans to construct 10 ships of the Mogami class beneath its Mid-Time period Protection Program (MTDP) for fiscal years 2019–23, which was authorised in December 2018. The service has plans to finally discipline a complete of twenty-two such frigates.