Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has received a contract from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) to build three upgraded multi-mission frigates (FFM) of the Mogami class.
According to Naval News, the three ships correspond to the third through fifth units of the 4,800-ton FFM class, an improved variant of the Mogami-class frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The contract, valued at $806 million, was signed on February 16, 2026, with MHI acting as the prime contractor, according to ATLA.
The new FFM is positioned as a central platform in the JMSDF’s future surface fleet, based on the Mogami-class design but incorporating enhanced mine countermeasure capabilities and more advanced integration of unmanned systems.
Additionally, significant improvements in air defense and radar are expected, which should bring the upgraded FFM closer in function and capability to a guided-missile frigate (FFG).
Photo: MHI. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
