JS Agano

This article is about the frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. For the Imperial Japanese Navy cruiser, see Japanese cruiser Agano.

Agano (あがの) is a frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the sixth ship of the Mogami class. Her namesake comes from the Agano River, which flows through Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures and into the Sea of Japan.^{[1][better source needed][2]}

Agano leaving MHI Nagasaki shipyard after commissioning
History
Japan
Name	Agano
Namesake	Agano River
Ordered	2020
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki
Laid down	24 June 2021
Launched	21 December 2022
Commissioned	20 June 2024
Homeport	Maizuru
Identification	Pennant number: FFM-6
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Mogami-class frigate
Displacement	3,900 tons standard 5,500 tons full load
Length	133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam	16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)
Draft	9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	CODAG 1 × Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine 2 × MAN Diesel V28/33DD STC engine
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 × RHIB, UUV, USV
Crew	90-100
Sensors and processing systems	OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar) OAX-3(EO/IR) OQQ-25 (VDS + TASS) OQQ-11 (Mine-hunting sonar) OYQ-1 (Combat management system) OYX-1-29 (Console display system)
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLQ-3E (Passive radar system + Electronic attack capability is integrated into the main radar antenna), Chaff dispenser
Armament	1 × 5 in (127 mm) Mk-45 Mod 4 naval gun 2 × missile canisters for a total of 8 Type 17 anti-ship missiles 1 × SeaRAM Type 12 torpedoes Simplified mine laying equipment 2 × Mk-41 VLS (16 cells total) Naval version of Type 03 Chū-SAM 2 × Remote weapon station
Aircraft carried	1 × SH-60L helicopter

She is the second ship to be named after the Agano River, after the name ship of the Agano-class cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, but she is the first JMSDF ship to be named so.^[2]

History

Agano was ordered in the fiscal year 2020, based on the Mid-Term Defense Program, with her keel being laid down at the Nagasaki Shipyard of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on the 24 June 2021,^[3] and launched on the 21 December 2022 after being christened. After being fitted out and underwent sea trials, Agano was commissioned on 20 June 2024,^[4][a] assigned to the Fleet Escort Force 14th Escort Division of Maizuru.^{[6][better source needed]}

Gallery

• 
  Agano during her launch ceremony
• 
  Agano being fitted out at MHI Nagasaki Shipyard

Notes

1. The delivery was originally scheduled for March 2024, but was postponed.^[5]