Japan releases more information on future frigate program

A scale model of MHI's future frigate for JMSDF. Photo c/o IHS Jane's.

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) released additional information on the planned new frigate program for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). 

MHI is expected to be the builder of the new multi-mission frigate class, being awarded the contract to build 6 ships of the class, while assisting in building 2 more as a subcontractor to another Japanese shipbuilder Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding (MES).

According to MHI officials during the DSEI Japan 2019 defense exhibition in Chiba, the new frigates will be 132.5 meters long, 16 meters wide, a beam of 9 meters, and a displacement of around 3,900 tons.

The frigates will be powered by two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine in Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) configuration, which will allow the ship to reach speeds of up to 30 knots.

The first two ships are expected to be launched by MHI by November 2020, and commissioned with the JMSDF by March 2022. 


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly