JS Yūbetsu (FFM-8)

For other ships with the same name, see JS Yūbetsu.

Yūbetsu (ゆうべつ) is a frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the eighth ship of the Mogami class.^[2] She was named after the Yūbetsu River in Hokkaido^[1][2][3] and is the second ship to bear the name, after the Yūbari-class destroyer escort Yūbetsu.^[6]

Yūbetsu after the launch ceremony
History
Japan
Name	Yūbetsu
Namesake	Yūbetsu River[1][2][3]
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Tamano[1][2][3]
Cost	Approximately 46 to 47 billion yen
Laid down	30 August 2022[3]
Launched	14 November 2023[1][2][3]
Commissioned	19 June 2025[4][3][5]
Identification	Pennant number: FFM-8[3]
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class & type	Mogami-class frigate
Displacement	3,900 t (3,800 long tons; 4,300 short tons)[1] (standard) 5,500 t (5,400 long tons; 6,100 short tons) (full load)[1][2]
Length	132.5 m (434 ft 9 in)[1][2]
Beam	16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)[2]
Draft	9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	CODAG 1 × Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine[1] 2 × MAN Diesel V28/33DD STC engine[1]
Speed	in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)[1][2]
Boats & landing craft carried	2 × RHIB, UUV,[2] USV[1][2]
Crew	around 90[1][2]
Sensors & processing systems	OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar)[1][2] OAX-3(EO/IR)[2] OQQ-25 (VDS + TASS)[1][2] OQQ-11 (Mine-hunting sonar)[1][2] OYQ-1 (Combat management system)[1] OYX-1-29 (Console display system)[1]
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][2] 1 × SeaRAM[1][2] Type 12 torpedoes Simplified mine laying equipment[1][2] 2 × Mk-41 VLS[2] (16 cells total)[1][a] Naval version of Type 03 Chū-SAM 2 × Remote weapon station

History

Yūbetsu was ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as part of the JMSDF's Mid-Term Defense Program of 2021, and she was laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems in Tamano^[1] on 30 August 2022. She was christened and launched on 14 November 2023.^[1][2] Although the acquisition cost of the Mk.41 VLS was included in the 2021 supplementary budget, it was decided to equip it at a later date, due to the global semiconductor shortage.^[7] The ship was originally planned to be commissioned in March 2025 after a period of being fitted out and undergoing sea trials.^[4] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the delayed delivery of semiconductors, Yūbetsu was instead commissioned on 19 June 2025, being deployed to the Ōminato Naval Base.^[5]

Notes

1. To be equipped later.