# Mogami-class frigate
**Mogami-class frigate** (もがみ型護衛艦, Mogami-gata goeikan) is a class of multi-mission frigate, designated FFM (frigate with mine-countermeasure capability) by the [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force](https://www.edgepedia.org/japan-maritime-self-defense-force) (JMSDF) and also known as the 30FFM or, in earlier planning documents, the 30DX.[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) • [2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGsFjNyjVQc) The class combines peacetime surveillance, surface and anti-submarine combat, and mine countermeasures in a compact, highly automated hull crewed by about 90 people.[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) • [3](https://apnews.com/article/7b94ac7e0a2766ff2ddf32b0b8875596) An upgraded variant was selected in 2025 as the design for Australia's next generation of general-purpose frigates.[4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type and role | Multi-mission frigate (FFM) for the JMSDF, covering surveillance, combat missions, and mine countermeasures that previously required dedicated minesweepers[5](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/news/2022/09/0915-01.html) |
| Dimensions | Standard displacement 3,900 t; length 133.0 m; beam 16.3 m; depth 9.0 m[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) |
| Propulsion | CODAG, two shafts, 70,000 PS, speed about 30 knots[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) |
| Crew | About 90, a lean manning level intended to save labor[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) • [6](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2021/03/11bcf2f35f43198cf439b90b959b0051e87e02f1.html) |
| Main armament | One 62-caliber 5-inch gun, one SeaRAM, two remotely controlled machine guns, one SSM launcher, [VLS](https://www.edgepedia.org/vertical-launching-system), towed and variable-depth sonar, mine-laying gear, one UUV, one USV, and one patrol helicopter[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) |
| Ships in class | Ten hulls listed by the JMSDF, FFM-1 Mogami through FFM-10 Nagara[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) |
| Export | Upgraded Mogami design chosen by Australia in August 2025 for an AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion) program of 11 frigates[4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201) |
## Design and purpose
The class was planned under Japan's Medium Term Defense Program for FY 2019 to FY 2023 as a smaller type of destroyer than current classes, designed to save labor and to improve multi-mission capabilities including anti-mine warfare.[6](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2021/03/11bcf2f35f43198cf439b90b959b0051e87e02f1.html) [Mitsubishi Heavy Industries](https://www.edgepedia.org/mitsubishi-heavy-industries) (MHI) was contracted by Japan's Ministry of Defense to build the new frigate in October 2018.[7](https://www.mhi.com/media/366676/download)
**Missions in one hull.** The JMSDF describes the type as a combatant that conducts regular surveillance in peacetime and various combat missions in crisis, while also performing minesweeping that previously only minesweepers could carry out; reduced manning is intended to make the best use of personnel resources.[5](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/news/2022/09/0915-01.html) The sensor fit supports this breadth: each ship carries a variable-depth sonar (VDS) and towed array sonar system (TASS), a mine-warfare sonar set, and can operate an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and an unmanned surface vessel (USV), along with a simple mine-laying device.[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/)
The commanding officer of JS Yahagi described the design intent directly: the JMSDF wanted stealth, fewer people, and a somewhat smaller ship.[3](https://apnews.com/article/7b94ac7e0a2766ff2ddf32b0b8875596) Independent naval commentary characterizes the class as a compact multi-role frigate with stealth features, a modular mission bay, and advanced passive sonar.[8](https://www.historyrise.com/article/a-comparative-analysis-of-frigate-types-used-by-different-naval-powers/)
## Construction and ships
The naming and launching ceremony for the lead ship was held on March 3, 2021 at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard; the ship was named Mogami after the Mogami River, which flows through Yamagata Prefecture from south to north.[6](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2021/03/11bcf2f35f43198cf439b90b959b0051e87e02f1.html) The second ship, JS Kumano, was commissioned in March 2022.[5](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/news/2022/09/0915-01.html)
The JMSDF lists ten hulls of the class: FFM-1 Mogami, FFM-2 Kumano, FFM-3 Noshiro, FFM-4 Mikuma, FFM-5 Yahagi, FFM-6 Agano, FFM-7 Niyodo, FFM-8 Yubetsu, FFM-9 Natori, and FFM-10 Nagara.[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) Japan's FY2023 budget request covered the 11th and 12th ships at ¥116.7 billion for the pair, described as 3,900-ton-class ships with compact hulls and improved multirole capability including mine countermeasures.[9](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/230330a.pdf) The same budget procured MK 41 vertical launch systems for ten FFM hulls, plus variable-depth and towed passive sonars for the class, to secure submarine-response capabilities.[9](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/230330a.pdf)
## The upgraded variant and the Australian program
In November 2024 the [Australian Government](https://www.edgepedia.org/australian-government) shortlisted Japan and Germany as candidates for its next-generation general-purpose frigates, selecting the 2024 version, an upgraded type, of the Mogami class as one of the two final candidates.[10](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2024/11/611f7c1c5d88b52f049c30c05b23eb16d68a3bf9.html) Japan's bid, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, competed against Germany's MEKO A-200 offered by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, and Australia announced in August 2025 that the Japanese bid had won.[3](https://apnews.com/article/7b94ac7e0a2766ff2ddf32b0b8875596) • [4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201)
**What the upgrade adds.** According to Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, the new FFM retains the functions of the Mogami class while enhancing capabilities for peacetime warning and surveillance and strengthening anti-air and anti-submarine warfare through a missile control function, the installation of long-range missiles, and a sonar system with improved detection performance compared with previous models.[11](https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/en/research/rnd_files/rnd_brochure_eng2025.pdf)
On April 18, 2026, Australia and Japan signed contracts in Melbourne, aboard JS Kumano, for the first three of an AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion) fleet; MHI will build the first three frigates in Japan, and Australia plans to build another eight in a shipyard in [Western Australia](https://www.edgepedia.org/western-australia), with the first due for delivery to the [Royal Australian Navy](https://www.edgepedia.org/royal-australian-navy) in 2029.[4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201) • [12](https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2026-04-18/australia-locks-delivery-our-first-three-general-purpose-frigates) The Japanese-designed fleet will replace Australia's ANZAC-class frigates, and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the acquisition timeline as the fastest for a surface combatant entering service in the Royal Australian Navy.[4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201) A Memorandum of Cooperation signed the same day by Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and Marles formalized the arrangement, which the ministers framed as reflecting the depth of the Australia-Japan partnership.[13](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/04/5a98e8fad9a141a88e0186322d65ee047f230c5b.html)
The deal is a milestone for Japan's defense export policy: it gave what the Associated Press called a major boost to Japan's still-underdeveloped defense industry, and it followed Japan's relaxation of export controls on defense equipment with trusted partners.[4](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201) Australia's commitment runs to up to AU$20 billion over the decade for general-purpose frigates in its 2026 Integrated Investment Program.[12](https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2026-04-18/australia-locks-delivery-our-first-three-general-purpose-frigates)
## Crew and automation
The class's crew of about 90 is small for a 3,900-ton combatant, and the AP report noted that this lean manning was one of the features that helped the design address recruitment challenges in the Royal Australian Navy.[1](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/) • [3](https://apnews.com/article/7b94ac7e0a2766ff2ddf32b0b8875596) The JMSDF frames the reduced manning as a way to make the most use of human resources, a persistent concern for both navies.[5](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/news/2022/09/0915-01.html)
## References
1. [護衛艦「もがみ」型 (FFM "MOGAMI" Class), JMSDF official site](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/)
2. [Japan Commissions First-In-Class FFM Frigate 'Mogami', YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGsFjNyjVQc)
3. [Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/7b94ac7e0a2766ff2ddf32b0b8875596)
4. [Australia and Japan seal $6.5B warship deal with 3 Mogami frigates ordered first, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/3716bd636db875cc9576ae871816d201)
5. [Defence Minister of India visited JS KUMANO, JMSDF Self Defense Fleet news](https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/english/news/2022/09/0915-01.html)
6. [The naming and launching ceremony of the new type of destroyer (FFM), Japan Ministry of Defense](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2021/03/11bcf2f35f43198cf439b90b959b0051e87e02f1.html)
7. [The Acquisition of Naval Ships Business, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries](https://www.mhi.com/media/366676/download)
8. [A Comparative Analysis of Frigate Types Used by Different Naval Powers, History Rise](https://www.historyrise.com/article/a-comparative-analysis-of-frigate-types-used-by-different-naval-powers/)
9. [II Main Programs, Japan Ministry of Defense budget document](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/230330a.pdf)
10. [Press Conference by Defense Minister Nakatani, November 29, 2024, Japan Ministry of Defense](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2024/11/611f7c1c5d88b52f049c30c05b23eb16d68a3bf9.html)
11. [ATLA R&D Brochure 2025, Naval Ship Design Division, Japan Ministry of Defense](https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/en/research/rnd_files/rnd_brochure_eng2025.pdf)
12. [Australia locks in delivery of our first three general purpose frigates, Australian Defence Ministers](https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2026-04-18/australia-locks-delivery-our-first-three-general-purpose-frigates)
13. [Memorandum of Cooperation Concerning Australia's General Purpose Frigates ('MOGAMI MEMORANDUM'), Japan Ministry of Defense](https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/04/5a98e8fad9a141a88e0186322d65ee047f230c5b.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Water transport › Warships and naval vessels › Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes › Titles A to Se*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
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