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New FFM
Japanese frigate class From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The New FFM (Japanese: 新型FFM, Hepburn: Shingata FFM), also known as 06FFM or the Upgraded Mogami, is a frigate class planned to be built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy.
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The New FFM frigates were ordered instead of continuing with the original production run of the Mogami-class frigates, reducing the planned total of Mogami frigates from 22 to 12.[1] A total of 12 New FFM frigates will be built for the JMSDF.[2][3] Australia is set to receive up to 11 ships, with the first planned to be commissioned in 2030.
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Background and development
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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force began constructing the Mogami-class (30FFM) frigates in 2018.[4] These vessels were designed for mine countermeasure operations in addition to various littoral missions currently undertaken by destroyers and destroyer escorts of the 10th Escort Squadron, which is not part of the Fleet Escort Force. The original plan was to build 22 ships to replace the eight destroyers and six destroyer escorts of the 10th Escort Squadron, as well as the eight minesweeping vessels of the Mine Warfare Force.[4]
However, on 25 January 2023, the Defense Acquisition Agency announced the "Guidelines for soliciting participants for the 'Planning and Proposal Contract for New FFMs'", and construction from fiscal year 2024 onwards would switch to the new ships.[5][6] On 31 March of the same year, Japan Marine United and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed the planning contract. The government, having received proposals from each company on 15 June, decided on 25 August the procurement partner for the class,[7] with MHI being the main supplier, while the JMU would be the subcontractor. On 31 August of the same year, a total of 12 new FFMs were to be built starting with the 2024 planned ships, and 174.7 billion yen will be invested into the construction of two ships in the following fiscal year's budget.[8] The first two ships are scheduled to be commissioned in 2028.[9]
On 11 April 2025, it is reported that the first FFM was already being fitted with the Mk 41 VLS.[10]
The Mogami-class frigates are being built at a rate of two ships per year, but the new FFMs will be built at a faster pace, with a total of 12 ships planned to be procured over a five-year period from 2024 to 2028.[11]
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Design
Hull
Compared to the Mogami class's 3,900-ton standard displacement, the New FFM is heavier at 4,880 tons.[12] The stealth-design hull is also larger in terms of width and length. In addition, the Mogamis have a stealth shear, which was omitted from the new FFM design.[13] The bridge structure appears to have been heavily altered from the one seen on the Mogami-class.[14]
Engine configuration
The New FFMs would be propelled by a gas turbine engine and two diesel engines in a CODAG arrangement, in order to achieve the 30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h) top speed.
This arrangement is shared with the Mogami class, with a pair of conventional screw propellers.
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Equipment
C4ISR system
As the ship will be equipped with the Type 23 surface-to-air guided missile as shown below, it will be fitted with an illuminator for missile guidance to the multi-function radar, as well as an FC network,[15][16] which is essentially the Japanese version of the Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter-Air (NIFC-CA).[12] Since the multi-function radar is based on the OPY-2, which is originally designed for individual ship air defense, it has been suggested[by whom?] that it will be necessary to improve its capabilities in the future.[12]
The ship will be equipped with a multi-function sonar that functions both as a radar and a mine detector.[12]
Weapon systems
The Type 23 Ship-to-Air missile is the ship's primary air defence weapon. The ship is also equipped with the ship-board version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile(12SSM).[12] The Type 23 missile, along with the Type 07 (07VLA) anti-submarine missiles, will be housed in a 32-cell VLS on the bow deck.[12]
Other equipment will be similar to that of the Mogami class.[12]
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Australia
The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries displayed a model of the new surface combat ship "FFM-AAW" at the Indo Pacific 2023 maritime defense exhibition held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia from 7 to 9 November 2023. The FFM-AAW is a derivative model of the New FFM for overseas markets, and was presented to overseas countries.[17]
On 21 February 2024, the Australian Department of Defence announced it was seeking a replacement for the ageing Anzac-class frigates. Four international designs were shortlisted: Japan's Mogami-class frigate, Germany's MEKO A-200, Spain's ALFA3000, and South Korea's Daegu-class frigate.[18]
By 8 November 2024, the shortlist had narrowed to just two options — Japan and Germany. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the government planned to invest AUD$11 billion (around ¥1.12 trillion) over the next ten years in the project.[19]
On 5 August 2025, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that Australia had officially selected Japan’s New FFM.[20][21]
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Ships of the class
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See also
References
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