Japan has reached a major milestone in its maritime defence transformation with the launch of the twelfth and final Mogami-class stealth frigate, formally closing one of the most ambitious surface-combatant programs in the history of the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force (JMSDF).
The final vessel, JS Yoshii (FFM-12), was launched on December 22, 2025, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagasaki Shipyard, marking the completion of a 12-ship program valued at approximately ¥550 billion (about USD 3.7–4.0 billion). The frigate is scheduled to enter active service in FY 2026, following outfitting, sea trials, and combat-system integration.
Program Origins and Order Details
The Mogami-class frigate program originated under Japan’s 30FFM (Fast, Flexible, Multi-Mission) initiative, aimed at replacing ageing destroyer escorts and mine-countermeasure vessels while reducing crew burden through automation.
The initial procurement contract for the first batch of Mogami-class frigates was approved in FY 2018, with construction formally commencing in 2019. Subsequent batches were authorised through Japan’s Medium-Term Defense Programs (MTDPs), with final funding approval secured by FY 2021, completing orders for all 12 hulls.
Key program figures include:
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Total ships ordered: 12
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Estimated total budget: ~¥550 billion
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Average unit cost: ¥45–46 billion per ship
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Prime contractor: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
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Construction period: 2019–2025
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Planned full operational fleet: By March 2027
The accelerated build schedule allowed Japan to launch multiple hulls annually, an unusually rapid pace for complex surface combatants.
A New Era of Surface Warfare
The Mogami class, also designated under Japan’s “30FFM” (Fast, Flexible, and Future-Ready Multi-Mission Frigate) project, represents a leap forward in autonomous operation, modular mission capability, and survivability. With a standard displacement of approximately 3,900 tons and a full load displacement near 5,500 tons, these vessels blend stealth features with modern sensors and weapons to ensure dominance in littoral and open-ocean environments.
Key specifications for the class include:
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Length: ~132.5 m; Beam: ~16.3 m; Draft: ~9 m
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Propulsion: CODAG (Combined Diesel And Gas) with one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and two MAN diesel engines
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Speed: Over 30 knots
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Crew: ~90 personnel
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Sensors & Combat Systems: Advanced AESA radar, integrated electro-optical/IR systems, mine-hunting sonar, and a modern combat management suite
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Armament: 1 Mk-45 naval gun, 8 Type 17 anti-ship missiles, 16 Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), 1 SeaRAM, 2 Triple lightweight torpedo launchers, and 2 Remote weapon stations
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Aviation Facilities: Capability to operate an SH-60L Seahawk helicopter and unmanned systems for expanded mission sets.
These capabilities position the Mogami class as highly networked, automated platforms capable of a broad spectrum of missions — from anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare to air defense, mine countermeasures, and maritime surveillance.
From First Keel to Final Hull
The JMSDF’s Mogami-class program has progressed at an ambitious pace since its inception, with two hulls typically under construction each year once the program accelerated under Japan’s Medium-Term Defense Program. Eight of the vessels were already in active service by 2025, with all 12 expected to be commissioned by March 2027.
Timeline of the class’s launches and induction dates so far:
| Ship Name | Pennant | Laid Down | Launch Date | Induction/Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JS Mogami | FFM-1 | 29 Oct 2019 | 3 Mar 2021 | 28 Apr 2022 |
| JS Kumano | FFM-2 | Date N/A | Nov 2019 (reported) | Mar 2022 |
| JS Noshiro | FFM-3 | Date N/A | 22 Jun 2021 | Dec 2022 |
| JS Mikuma | FFM-4 | Date N/A | Date N/A | Mar 2023 |
| JS Yahagi | FFM-5 | Date N/A | Date N/A | May 2024 |
| JS Agano | FFM-6 | Date N/A | Date N/A | Jun 2024 |
| JS Niyodo | FFM-7 | Date N/A | Date N/A | 21 May 2025 |
| JS Yūbetsu | FFM-8 | 30 Aug 2022 | 14 Nov 2023 | 19 Jun 2025 |
| Tatsuta | FFM-11 | Date N/A | 2 Jul 2025 | Scheduled |
| Nagara | FFM-10 | 6 Jul 2023 | 19 Dec 2024 | Mar 2026 (est.) |
| Yoshii | FFM-12 | 3 Jul 2024 | 22 Dec 2025 | FY2026 (est.) |
(Note: Some lay-down dates and induction dates are publicly available only for select vessels; others follow planned schedules under the JMSDF shipbuilding program.)
Strategic Significance and Regional Impact
The completion of the Mogami fleet represents more than just a procurement milestone for Japan. In an era marked by intensifying maritime competition — particularly in the East China Sea and wider Indo-Pacific — these stealth frigates provide Tokyo with flexible, survivable assets to safeguard sea lines of communication and counter a range of threats, from submarine incursions to missile engagements.
The progressively automated systems aboard Mogami vessels also help address JMSDF manpower constraints linked to broader demographic trends in Japan, allowing smaller crews to maximize operational effectiveness.
International interest in the Mogami design has also surged. In 2025, Australia selected an upgraded Mogami variant as its preferred option for future general-purpose frigates — a landmark defense export for Japan following decades of post-war restrictions on arms exports. This deal highlights the vessel’s performance, modularity, and adaptability to varied strategic requirements.
Looking Ahead
With the launch of JS Yoshii, Japan formally closes the Mogami-class construction chapter — but operationally, the story is just beginning. As the final ships enter service in 2026, the JMSDF will field one of the most modern frigate fleets in the Indo-Pacific, reshaping regional maritime balance for decades to come.
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