JS Niyodo

This article is about the Mogami-class frigate. For the Chikugo-class destroyer escort, see JDS Niyodo.

Niyodo (によど) is a frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the seventh ship of the Mogami class. She was named after the Niyodo River,^[4] and the second ship to be named so, after the Chikugo-class destroyer escort JDS Niyodo.^[5][1] The Imperial Japanese Navy had plans to name the second Oyodo-class cruiser after the Niyodo River, but her construction was cancelled.^[4]

Launch ceremony of the Niyodo
History
Japan
Name	Niyodo
Namesake	Niyodo River[1][2]
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki[1][2]
Laid down	30 June 2022[2]
Launched	26 September 2023[1][2]
Commissioned	21 May 2025[3]
Identification	Pennant number: FFM-7
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Mogami-class frigate
Displacement	3,900 tons standard[1] 5,500 tons full load[1]
Length	132.5 m (434 ft 9 in)[1]
Beam	16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)[1]
Draft	9 m (29 ft 6 in)[1]
Propulsion	CODAG[1] 1 × Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine[1] 2 × MAN Diesel V28/33DD STC engine[1]
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)[1]
Boats & landing craft carried	2 × RHIB, UUV, USV
Crew	around 90[1]
Sensors and processing systems	OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar) OAX-3(EO/IR) OQQ-25 (VDS + TASS)[1] 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] 1 × SeaRAM[1] Type 12 torpedoes Simplified mine laying equipment 2 × Mk-41 VLS (16 cells total)[a] Naval version of Type 03 Chū-SAM 2 × Remote weapon station
Aircraft carried	1 × SH-60L helicopter

Construction and career

Niyodo was ordered in March 2022 (for about 47.4 billion yen)^[1] by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as part of the JMSDF's Mid-Term Defense Program and was laid down at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard on 30 June 2022.^[2] She was named and launched on 26 September 2023.^[6][1][2] Although the Mk.41 VLS was included in the 2021 supplementary budget, it was decided^{[by whom?]} that it will be fitted later due to the global semiconductor shortage.^[7] After fitting out and undergoing a series of sea trials, the ship was originally scheduled to be commissioned in December 2024.^[8] The schedule was later pushed back to 21 May 2025,^[3] and according to journalist Kosuke Takahashi, it is uncertain whether or not the delayed commissioning date allowed the Mark 41 VLS to be fitted, or a decision made by the JMSDF to equip the VLS during Niyodo's fitting out process.^[9] While Niyodo was eventually commissioned and assigned to the 12th Escort Fleet based at Kure, Takahashi disclosed a statement by the Public Relations Office of the Maritime Staff Office that the COVID-19 pandemic had also delayed the ship's entry to service.^[10]

Notes

1. To be equipped later.