IHI supplies MCM USVs for Japan's Mogami-class frigates

Japan's seventh Mogami-class frigate, Niyodo , which was delivered to the JMSDF on 21 May 2025. IHI is delivering USVs for the Mogami-class frigates to enhance their capability to conduct mine countermeasures operations. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)

Japan's IHI Corporation is supplying unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF's) Mogami-class frigates.

An IHI official told Janes at the DSEI Japan 2025 show held in Chiba from 21 to 23 May that the company delivered a USV, named Umikaze, for the Mogami-class frigates in 2024.

The company is currently building three more Umikaze USVs for the frigates. These USVs will be delivered to the JMSDF by the end of 2025, the official said.

Umikaze has a length of 11 m, a width of 3 m, a speed of 23 kt, and a “few hours of endurance”, the official added.

The official said that Umikaze will be used for mine countermeasures (MCM) operations. “The USV has an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) onboard. This is the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' (MHI's) OZZ-5 UUV. The OZZ-5 and Umikaze will work together to detect and destroy mines,” the official added.

“Once a mine has been detected, Umikaze shoots a remote-controlled mine disposal charge to eliminate the mine,” the official said.

According to IHI, Umikaze is capable of automatic berthing and unberthing using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based GPS system. It has a cross-tracking error of less than 0.5 m.

It is unclear which Mogami-class frigates will be equipped with the Umikaze USVs. The JMSDF currently has seven Mogami-class frigates in service, with the latest one commissioned in May. MHI, which is building the Mogami-class frigates, will deliver five more of these vessels to the JMSDF.

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