Japan receives first VLS-ready Mogami-class frigate

Japan's seventh Mogami-class frigate, Niyodo , was delivered to the JMSDF on 21 May 2025. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has delivered the seventh Mogami-class frigate on order for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

A statement released by MHI on 21 May stated that the vessel, which has been named JS Niyodo, was handed over and commissioned on the same day at the shipyard's facilities in Nagasaki.

Niyodo is one of 12 Mogami-class frigates that have been planned for the JMSDF. First-of-class JS Mogami was commissioned in April 2022, while the sixth-of-class, JS Agano, was inducted in June 2024.

Niyodo is the first Mogami-class frigate to be delivered with a vertical launching system (VLS). Earlier vessels in the class have been commissioned on a fitted-for-but-not-with (FFBNW) basis for this weapon system.

The VLS comprises 16 cells, each of which will feature an initial loadout of vertical-launch anti-submarine rockets (VL-ASROCs), a spokesperson from Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed to Janes in March 2025.

The Mogami class displaces about 5,500 tonnes at full load, and it has an overall length of 132 m and an overall beam of 16 m.

Powered by two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas-turbine engine, the class has a top speed of 30 kt and a crew complement of 90.

For weapons, the class is armed with a BAE Systems 127 mm naval gun in the primary position and eight anti-surface missile launchers amidships.

The frigate is also equipped with a Raytheon 11-cell SeaRAM close-in weapon system (CIWS) turret that can deploy the RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missile.