Japan has officially commissioned the JS Natori, the ninth Mogami-class frigate, into the country’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The handover and flag-raising ceremony took place this week at the facilities of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
The information comes from the website Naval News. After entering service, the vessel was assigned to Mine Warfare Force Patrol and Defense Squadron 5, based in Ominato, in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan.
The JS Natori is part of Japan’s naval modernization program aimed at replacing the older Abukuma-class frigates. The Mogami class is considered one of the most modern in the Japanese navy and was designed to operate in multifunctional missions with a smaller crew and a high degree of automation.
The ship is also part of the new generation of Japanese frigates equipped with the Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS). The Natori is the third unit of the class to receive the equipment during construction, expanding its air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Mogami-class frigates have a displacement of around 5,500 tons, a speed of more than 30 knots and a reduced signature to make radar detection more difficult. The ships can also operate SH-60 helicopters, maritime drones and advanced sonar and electronic warfare systems.
The project has attracted international interest in recent months. A derivative version of the Mogami class has already been selected by Australia for its future frigate program, while other countries in the Asia-Pacific region are closely following the development of the Japanese platform.
Photo: X @JMSDF_PAO. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
