NAVAL NEWS




 

On August 25, 2023, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced the selection of two contractors for the design and production of a new FFM variant to be delivered to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

New FFM (新型ＦＦＭ)

According to the announcement, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will be the prime contractor and Japan Marine United (JMU) will be the subcontractor for the “New FFM” (新型ＦＦＭ or Shingata FFM) program…

 The FFM is a multifunctional frigate that is more compact than a conventional destroyer (護衛艦 in Japanese) but has been given new capabilities. The FFM is capable of laying and sweeping mines, a task not traditionally carried out by JMSDF destroyers.

The shape of the ship is designed to be highly stealthy, and in addition, it can operate with fewer crew members than existing destroyers.

 

The FFM currently being deployed is the Mogami-class, which is capable of laying mines from the stern and can also operate unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) used for minesweeping. It also has a sonar for searching mines on the bottom of the forward part of the ship.

In addition, for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the ship is equipped with a Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) and Towed Array Sonar (TAS) on its stern, allowing for bi-static operations conducted by a single vessel and multi-static operations conducted together with other vessels.

However, it is currently not equipped with a Vertical Launch System (VLS) and cannot be equipped with a long-range ship-to-air missile or Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA) (but will be additionally equipped with a VLS in the future).

Currently, four vessels of the Mogami-class are in service, and eight more are under construction or are on sea trial.

During IMDEX Asia 2023, Naval News could interview the Commanding Officer of JS Kumano. Check out our video:


https://youtu.be/H9fMBA82pgU