Japan welcomes seventh Mogami-class frigate

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has held a delivery ceremony for the newest Mogami-class frigate built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

As disclosed, the seventh vessel in this class, Niyodo, was delivered on May 21, 2025, at the company’s Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, located in Akunoura-cho, Nagasaki City.

The vessel was ordered in fiscal year 2021 and represents the seventh unit of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s 3,900-ton Mogami-class destroyers.

Niyodo follows the earlier delivery of its sister ships: Mogami (flagship), Kumano, Noshiro, Mikuma, Yahagi, and Agano, all of which have already been commissioned by the Ministry of Defense.

Niyodo has an overall length of 133.0 meters, a beam (width) of 16.3 meters, and a depth of 9.0 meters. It is capable of reaching speeds of approximately 30 knots, powered by a hybrid propulsion system consisting of one gas turbine and two diesel engines.

The vessel is equipped with advanced weaponry and defense systems, including a 5-inch 62-caliber naval gun, a SeaRAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) system for close-in defense, two surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers, an anti-submarine warfare system, a mine countermeasure system, and a vertical launch system for various guided munitions.

Construction of Niyodo began with its keel laying on June 30, 2022. The ship was launched on September 26, 2023.

These multi-role frigates are specifically designed for more compact operations near Japan’s shores, but they are also capable of undertaking a wide range of missions.

In addition to anti-piracy operations, the ships will be deployed on international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The frigates will also possess mine countermeasure capabilities, enhancing their versatility in various maritime security operations.