Upgraded Mogami-class
navalnews.com • • world
Key Points:
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) received a 128.6 billion yen ($806 million) contract from Japan’s ATLA to build three upgraded Mogami-class frigates, marking units three through five of the new 4,800-ton-class FFM variant.
- The upgraded frigates feature enhanced mine countermeasure capabilities, improved unmanned systems integration, and significantly boosted air defense and radar systems, doubling the Mk 41 VLS cells from 16 to 32.
- The apparent cost discrepancy between the FY2025 defense budget allocation (314.8 billion yen) and the contract value arises because the budget covers both hull construction and onboard systems, while the contract only covers hull construction.
- Rising shipbuilding costs are driven by global material price increases, inflation, and currency depreciation, with MHI as prime contractor and Japan Marine United as subcontractor sharing construction duties for the first five ships.
- The upgraded Mogami-class is planned for 12 ships and selected as the basis for the Royal Australian Navy’s future frigate program, highlighting Japan’s strategic focus on naval modernization and defense export expansion.
