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Japan Commissions JS Niyodo First Mogami Class Frigate Equipped with Mk41 for Air Defense and Multi Mission strike.
On May 21, 2025, Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) officially delivered the frigate JS Niyodo (FFM-7), the seventh vessel of the Mogami class, to the Ministry of Defense during a ceremony held at its shipyard in Nagasaki. The Niyodo marks a major milestone in Japan’s fleet modernization program, becoming the first ship of its class to be delivered with the Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS) installed from the outset.
With a displacement of 3,900 tons, JS Niyodo joins a new generation of multi-mission frigates introduced by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) under the Future Frigate Multi-Mission (FFM) program. (Picture source: X channel @Kirasanmi)
Shortly after the ceremony, residents in Nagasaki filmed the frigate leaving port, with the VLS clearly visible behind the main gun. The footage was shared on social media, notably by the X account @kirasanmi.
JS Niyodo was ordered in 2021 and took nearly three years to build. With a displacement of 3,900 tons, it joins a new generation of multi-mission frigates introduced by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) under the Future Frigate Multi-Mission (FFM) program. The ship has been assigned to the JMSDF's 12th Escort Squadron, based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture—marking the first deployment of a Mogami-class frigate to this strategic port.
Niyodo follows six previously delivered vessels of the same class: JS Mogami, Kumano, Noshiro, Mikuma, Yahagi, and Agano. With a compact and stealthy design, the Mogami class reflects Japan’s efforts to enhance its naval capabilities through multi-mission platforms designed for anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare, as well as mine countermeasure operations. Each ship is armed with a BAE Systems 127 mm Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun, two remote-controlled 12.7 mm stations, a SeaRAM close-in weapon system, two quadruple launchers for Type 17 (SSM-2) anti-ship missiles, torpedo tubes, and both mine-hunting and anti-submarine sonars. Additional sensors include the OPY-2 multifunction radar and the OAX-3 electro-optical system. The ship is also equipped with an OZZ-5 unmanned underwater vehicle and a surface drone for mine warfare missions.
Propulsion is provided by a CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) configuration, combining two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine, delivering speeds exceeding 30 knots. Each ship is designed for a reduced crew of around 90 personnel. The JS Niyodo was built at an estimated cost of 47.4 billion yen (approximately 327 million USD), according to official figures from MHI.
The introduction of the Mk 41 VLS on the Niyodo represents a significant enhancement in operational capability. This vertical launcher enables the ship to deploy a variety of missiles, including those for air defense and anti-submarine warfare, greatly expanding its combat versatility. This move also reflects Japan's alignment with allied weapon systems, particularly those used by the United States. Starting with JS Yubetsu, all subsequent frigates in the class will also be equipped with the VLS upon construction.
Additionally, Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to develop an improved version of the Mogami class beginning in 2024, increasing displacement to 4,800 tons. These new vessels, designated as “New FFM,” will feature upgraded air defense and reconnaissance capabilities and are expected to be classified as guided missile frigates (FFGs). Japan also intends to export this enhanced model, including its proposal for Australia’s future general-purpose frigate program, where it competes against the German MEKO A-200 offered by TKMS.
The commissioning of JS Niyodo illustrates Japan’s determination to accelerate the modernization of its naval forces in response to an increasingly unstable strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. By incorporating new technologies and reinforcing a modular and interoperable architecture, the Mogami class is positioned to become a central element of Japan’s future surface fleet. Niyodo thus marks the beginning of a new chapter in this program, with enhanced deterrence and power projection capabilities.