Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launches frigate Nagara in Nagasaki: Key Milestone in Japan's Defense upgrades.

According to a PR published by MHI on December 19, 2024, the firm held a naming and launch ceremony for the frigate Nagara at its Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Akunoura, Nagasaki City. This event follows the June 2024 ceremony for the naming and launch of the Natori, another vessel of the same class.
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The Mogami-class Nagara takes its first step into the water at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard. (Picture source: Japanese MoD)

The Nagara is the tenth ship of the Mogami-class 3,900-ton frigates, commissioned by Japan's Ministry of Defense under the Fiscal Year 2022 procurement plan. The ship's name is derived from the Nagara River, a prominent waterway in Japan's Chubu region. Following outfitting work—including the installation of its hull, propulsion systems, electrical equipment, and weaponry—the vessel is expected to be delivered to the Ministry of Defense by Fiscal Year 2027.

Context

In a potential conflict with China, the Mogami-class frigates would play a pivotal role in securing Japan’s maritime interests and countering Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. These advanced frigates are tailored for multi-role operations, allowing them to address a broad spectrum of threats, particularly in the East China Sea and surrounding contested areas.

Their stealth design and high-speed maneuverability would make them invaluable for operations in contested waters, where they could perform intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions without being easily detected. This capability is particularly crucial for monitoring China’s activities around the Senkaku Islands and other disputed maritime zones, where situational awareness can determine the outcome of engagements.

The frigates’ anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems, including advanced sonar and the ability to deploy unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), are designed to counter China’s increasingly sophisticated and numerous submarine fleet. By patrolling critical chokepoints and conducting ASW missions, the Mogami-class could limit the freedom of movement of Chinese submarines, which are integral to Beijing’s power projection and area denial strategies.

Surface and air defense are also core strengths of these ships. Equipped with anti-ship missiles, a naval gun, and the SeaRAM system, the Mogami-class can effectively defend against Chinese naval assets and aircraft, creating a layered defense for Japan’s territorial waters and maritime approaches. The potential for future vertical launch system (VLS) upgrades would further enhance their ability to engage a broader range of threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, which are central to China’s military doctrine.