According to Naval News, Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki launched on Jun 22, 2021 JS Noshiro (FFM-3), the third Mogami-class vessel. Also known as 30FFM, it is a next generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The first ship-in-class, JS Mogami (FFM-1), was launched in March 2021 by MHI (Naval News was on site to cover the event) while another shipyard, Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding located in Okayama launched the second ship of the class, JS Kumano (FFM-2), back in November 2020. This is because Mitsui E&S received a subcontracting order from MHI (the main contractor) for the construction of the 3,900-ton frigate for the JMSDF.

The vessel is named after the Noshiro River (Noshiro-gawa) located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. According to the JMSDF «The Noshiro River has supported tens of thousands of people since ancient times». The shipyard will now proceed to the fitting out stage of the frigate, ahead of its delivery and commissioning set for 2022

30FFM (also known as FFM and previously known as 30DX) is the next generation multi-mission frigate designed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. A total number of 22 Frigates are expected to be procured for the JMSDF.

The two shipyards in charge of building the first two frigates of the class are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Nagasaki and Mitsui E&S in Okayama.

According to MHI, the 30FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of about 5,500 tons, with a length of 132.5 meters/434.7 feet and a beam of 16.3 meters/53.5 feet. It will have a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h. The crew complement will be quite low, at about 90 sailors, indicating a high level of automation on board.

The 30FFM will be equipped with a wide variety of weapons and systems as listed below.

• BAE Systems Mk.45 mod.4 5-inch/127-mm naval gun system × 1
• Japan Steel Works 12.7-mm Remote Weapon System × 2
• 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) fitted for but not with
• Raytheon SeaRAM × 1
• MHI Type 17 anti-ship missiles × 8
• Mitsubishi Electric OPY-2 multifunction Radar
• Mitsubishi Electric OAX-3EO/IR sensors
• Hitachi OQQ-11 anti-mine sonar
• NEC OQQ-25 anti-submarine sonar (VDS/TASS)
• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) OZZ-5 by MHI and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) unknown type for mine counter measures
• Sea mines for offensive mine warfare