JS Agano at the comissioning ceremony (JMSDF photo)

Japan Commissions Sixth Mogami-Class Frigate ‘Agano’ 「あがの」

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems Co., Ltd. held a delivery ceremony and a “self-defense ship flag raising ceremony” today for the ‘Agano’ (あがの). The event means the ship, the sixth Mogami-class FFM, was officially commissioned with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Named AGANO (with pennant number FFM-6), the vessel is the 6th Mogami-class frigate, also known as FFM, a next-generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). AGANO will be deployed to the Maizuru Naval Base of the JMSDF.

The vessel is named after the Agano River (あがの, 阿賀野川 Agano-gawa) a river in the Hokuriku region of Honshu, Japan. It is also called the Aga River or the Ōkawa River in Fukushima. All ships of the class are named after famous rivers in Japan.

Agano was launched by MHI in Nagasaki in December 2022.

The FFM (also known as 30FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the JMSDF. A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

Mogami-class FFM

According to MHI, the FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters and a beam of 16.3 meters. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below.

• BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch naval gun system ×1
• Japan Steel Works 12.7mm Remote Weapon System ×2
• Mk.41 VLS
• Raytheon SeaRAM ×1
• MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles ×8
• Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
• Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3EO/IR sensors
• Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
• NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (VDS/TASS)
• UUV (OZZ-5 by MHI) and USV (unknown type) for mine countermeasures
• Sea mines for offensive mine warfare

New FFM program

The JMSDF had originally planned to build a total of 22 Mogami-class frigates as Tokyo ramps up efforts to strengthen the country’s naval forces. However, it has decided to now procure a total of only 12 such frigates until the fiscal year 2023, with plans to acquire a new class of 12 FFMs from 2024 until 2028. The new frigates will essentially be improved Mogami-class ships that are set to be built to the design proposed by MHI.

As previously reported by T.I.N., the new-class FFM will be fitted with longer-range missiles, enhanced anti-submarine capabilities, and improved capabilities for various maritime operations.

Specifically, the ship-launched, improved version of the Type 12 SSM and the new ship-to-air guided missile (or simply A-SAM) will be equipped with the new-class FFM, defense officials said. With better anti-aircraft and search capabilities, the new FFM may become closer to an FFG (missile frigate).

Australia Lists Mogami Class as 1 of 4 Contenders for Its Next Frigate

As part of strengthening the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combat fleet capability, Australia listed the Mogami-class frigate of the JMSDF as one of the four candidates for the navy’s next frigate, with the other three vessels being Germany’s Meko A-200, South Korea’s Daegu class FFX Batch II and III, and Spain’s Navantia ALFA3000.

In response, Admiral Sakai Ryo, chief of staff of the JMSDF, praised this move.

“We believe that Australia has picked frigates from these countries based on its own information. The fact that the Mogami class was selected as a candidate is a sign of the high level of trust and evaluation of Japanese equipment,” Sakai said at a press conference on 6 March, adding “the JMSDF intends to actively exchange opinions with the Royal Australian Navy.”