Mitsui shows proposed Offshore Patrol Vessel for Japan

Mitsui E&S' OPV design offered to the JMSDF. Photo c/o Naval News.


As part of the ongoing Maritime/Air Systems Technologies Asia 2019 (MAST Asia 2019) in Chiba, Japan, Japanese shipbuilder Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (Mitsui E&S) unveiled its proposed Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) design to fulfil a requirement for 12 new ships for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). 

The new OPVs are intended for surveillance, coastal patrol and intelligence gathering, and is expected to be awarded by Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) by 2022.

The ship features stealthy design with sleek angles with minimal radar cross section and features a highly autonomous digitized system that allows for low crewing requirements of only 23 sailors. It also has a 360 degrees panoramic bridge design, and an autonomous manoeuvring system.

It has a length of 100 meters, displacing 2,000 tons, and is powered by two diesel engines allowing a maximum speed in excess of 25 knots.

The design also includes aviation facility including a hangar and flight deck for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs), and stern ramp for at least 2 unmanned surface vehicles (USV)

Mitsui E&S is competing with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Japan Marine United (JMU).



[1] Naval News

Mitsui shows proposed Offshore Patrol Vessel for Japan Mitsui shows proposed Offshore Patrol Vessel for Japan Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on June 21, 2019 Rating: 5

No comments