New FFM

This article is about the general Japanese frigate design chosen by both Japan and Australia. For Australia's specific program, see Australian general purpose frigate program.
CGI rendering of the ship by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded by
SubclassesAustralian GP frigate
Built2025–present
In commission2028
Planned
  • 12 (JMSDF)
  • 11 (RAN)
Building2
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • 4,880 t (4,800 long tons) (standard)
  • 6,200 t (6,100 long tons) (full load)
LengthApprox. 142 m (465 ft 11 in)
BeamApprox. 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
Propulsion
SpeedOver 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement90
Armament
Aircraft carried1 x patrol helicopter or flying sensor

The New FFM (Japanese: 新型FFM, Hepburn: Shingata FFM), also known as 06FFM or the Upgraded Mogami, is a frigate class planned to be built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy.

The New FFM frigates were ordered instead of continuing with the original production run of the Mogami-class frigates, reducing the planned total of Mogami frigates from 22 to 12.[1] A total of 12 New FFM frigates will be built for the JMSDF.[2][3] Australia is set to receive up to 11 ships, with the first planned to be commissioned in 2029.

Background and development

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force began constructing the Mogami-class (30FFM) frigates in 2018.[4] These vessels were designed for mine countermeasure operations in addition to various littoral missions currently undertaken by destroyers and destroyer escorts of the 10th Escort Squadron, which is not part of the Fleet Escort Force. The original plan was to build 22 ships to replace the eight destroyers and six destroyer escorts of the 10th Escort Squadron, as well as the eight minesweeping vessels of the Mine Warfare Force.[4]

However, on 25 January 2023, the Defense Acquisition Agency announced the "Guidelines for soliciting participants for the 'Planning and Proposal Contract for New FFMs'", and construction from fiscal year 2024 onwards would switch to the new ships.[5][6] On 31 March of the same year, Japan Marine United and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed the planning contract. The government, having received proposals from each company on 15 June, decided on 25 August the procurement partner for the class,[7] with MHI being the main supplier, while the JMU would be the subcontractor. On 31 August of the same year, a total of 12 new FFMs were to be built starting with the 2024 planned ships, and 174.7 billion yen will be invested into the construction of two ships in the following fiscal year's budget.[8] The first two ships are scheduled to be commissioned in 2028.[9]

On 11 April 2025, it is reported that the first FFM was already being fitted with the Mk 41 VLS.[10]

The Mogami-class frigates are being built at a rate of two ships per year, but the new FFMs will be built at a faster pace, with a total of 12 ships planned to be procured over a five-year period from 2024 to 2028.[11]

Design

Hull

Compared to the Mogami class's 3,900-ton standard displacement, the New FFM is heavier at 4,880 tons.[12] The stealth-design hull is also larger in terms of width and length. In addition, the Mogamis have a stealth shear, which was omitted from the new FFM design.[13] The bridge structure appears to have been heavily altered from the one seen on the Mogami-class.[14]

Engine configuration

The New FFMs would be propelled by a gas turbine engine and two diesel engines in a CODAG arrangement, in order to achieve the 30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h) top speed.

This arrangement is shared with the Mogami class, with a pair of conventional screw propellers.

Equipment

C4ISR system

As the ship will be equipped with the Type 23 surface-to-air guided missile as shown below, it will be fitted with an illuminator for missile guidance to the multi-function radar, as well as an FC network,[15][16] which is essentially the Japanese version of the Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter-Air (NIFC-CA).[12] Since the multi-function radar is based on the OPY-2, which is originally designed for individual ship air defense, it has been suggested that it will be necessary to improve its capabilities in the future.[12]

The ship will be equipped with a multi-function sonar that functions both as a radar and a mine detector.[12]

Weapon systems

The Type 23 Ship-to-Air missile is the ship's primary air defence weapon. The ship is also equipped with the ship-board version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile(12SSM).[12] The Type 23 missile, along with the Type 07 (07VLA) anti-submarine missiles, will be housed in a 32-cell VLS on the bow deck.[12]

Other equipment will be similar to that of the Mogami class.[12]

Export

A model of the New FFM on display at the Australian General Purpose Frigate Promotion Committee, December 2024

Australia

See also: Australian general purpose frigate program

The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries displayed a model of the new surface combat ship "FFM-AAW" at the Indo Pacific 2023 maritime defense exhibition held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia from 7 to 9 November 2023. The FFM-AAW is a derivative model of the New FFM for overseas markets, and was presented to overseas countries.[17]

On 21 February 2024, the Australian Department of Defence announced it was seeking a replacement for the ageing Anzac-class frigates. Four international designs were shortlisted: Japan's Mogami-class frigate, Germany's MEKO A-200, Spain's ALFA3000, and South Korea's Daegu-class frigate.[18]

By 8 November 2024, the shortlist had narrowed to just two options — Japan and Germany. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the government planned to invest AUD$11 billion (around ¥1.12 trillion) over the next ten years in the project.[19]

On 5 August 2025, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that Australia had officially selected Japan’s New FFM.[20][21]

Ships of the class

Pennant number Ship name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
FFM-13 FY2024 planned ship
（06FFM） 		Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 2025 (planned) TBA 2028 (planned) TBA
FFM-14 FY2024 planned ship
（06FFM） 		Japan Marine United 2025 (planned) TBA 2028 (planned) TBA
Royal Australian Navy
TBA TBA Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 2026 (planned) 2029 (planned) 2030 (planned) TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA 2034 (planned) TBA
TBA TBA Australian Marine Complex 2026 (planned) TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA Before 2040

See also

References

  1. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke. "防衛装備庁、新型FFM建造に関する企画提案を三菱重工業とジャパンマリンユナイテッドの2社と契約（高橋浩祐） - エキスパート" [The Defense Acquisition Agency contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United for proposals for the construction of new FFMs]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  2. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke. "海自新型FFMは12隻を建造へ 2024年度防衛予算概算要求の主な注目点（高橋浩祐） - エキスパート" [The MSDF will build 12 new FFMs - Key points of the FY2024 defense budget request]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (2 November 2023). "海自新型FFMは2024年度からわずか5年間で12隻を調達へ 防衛装備庁が明かす" [The Defense Acquisition Agency reveals that the MSDF will procure 12 new FFMs over just five years from fiscal 2024] (in Japanese). Yahoo!ニュース. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Ishii, Kosuke (January 2024). "新型FFM" [New FFM]. Ships of the World (in Japanese) (1009): 134–139.
  5. ^ "新型FFMの企画提案を公募" [Calling for proposals for new FFM]. Ships of the World (in Japanese). 24 February 2023.
  6. ^ Matsuura, Masahiro (25 January 2023). "「 新 型 Ｆ Ｆ Ｍ に 係 る 企 画 提 案 契 約 」 の 参 加 希 望 者 募 集 要 領" [Application Guidelines for Participants in the "Planning, Proposal, and Contracting for New FFM"] (PDF). warp.ndl.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  7. ^ 新型ＦＦＭ（護衛艦）に係る調達の相手方の決定について [Decision on procurement partner for new FFM (escort ship)] (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). Ministry of Defence. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  8. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (31 August 2023). "海自新型FFMは12隻を建造へ 2024年度防衛予算概算要求の主な注目点" [The MSDF plans to build 12 new FFMs - Key points of FY2024 defense budget request]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  9. ^ "もがみ型とどう違う？ 海自「次世代護衛艦」の全貌 ひと回り大型化で「何でも屋」に割り切り？" [How is it different from the Mogami-class? A complete look at the MSDF's "next-generation escort ship" - a slightly larger vessel that can handle anything?]. 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 9 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. ^ Kosuke Takahashi (11 April 2025). "First Mogami-class FFM fitted with Mk 41 VLS emerges in Japan". Naval News.
  11. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (2 November 2023). "海自新型FFMは2024年度からわずか5年間で12隻を調達へ 防衛装備庁が明かす" [The Defense Acquisition Agency reveals that the MSDF will procure 12 new FFMs over just five years from fiscal 2024]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Ishii, Kosuke (March 2024). "「護衛艦 (特集 10年後の海上自衛隊)」" ["Escort Ship (Special Feature: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 10 Years)"]. Ships of the World (in Japanese) (1013). Kaijinsha: 78–85.
  13. ^ Luck, Alex (10 November 2023). "Japan's MHI shows 'New FFM' Frigate at Indopacific 2023". Naval News. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  14. ^ "新型FFM（護衛艦）の主契約企業は三菱重工に決定（JSF） - エキスパート". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. ^ ＦＣ(Fire Control)ネットワークの研究 [Research on FC (Fire Control) networks] (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  16. ^ 令和７年度予算案の概要 [Summary of FY2025 Budget] (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). Ministry of Defence (Japan). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  17. ^ "見えてきた「もがみ型護衛艦の"次"」＝売る気満々!? 海自新型FFMの"ファミリー構想"とは？" [The "next Mogami-class destroyer" is in sight = Are they serious about selling it? What is the JMSDF's "family concept" for the new FFM?]. 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Japanese Government Tells Australia of Willingness to Cooperate in Building Warships; New Model Based on Mogami-Class Frigate". japannews.yomiuri.co.jp. The Yomiuri Shimbun. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  19. ^ "豪新型艦、日本と独に絞り込みか 最大11隻、契約額は1兆円規模 ｜ 共同通信". Kyodo News (in Japanese). 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  20. ^ NavyLookout (4 August 2025). "Australia set to buy Japanese Mogami-class frigates - Navy Lookout". Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Mogami-class frigate selected for the Navy's new general purpose frigates". .minister.defence.gov.au. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
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