New Mogami type frigate. Japan's navy: strong and modern
In 2014, the Japanese government reinterpreted constitutional provisions that limited the role of the armed forces to defense of the country only. Tokyo is consistently expanding its military forces, among which - due to the country's location - the navy plays a key role.
Sep 29, 2023 | updated: 9:10 AM EDT, October 5, 2023
Japan formally still maintains state pacifism stemming from the provisions of the constitution imposed after World War II by the United States. For this reason, the Japanese army is called the Self-Defense Forces, in which not soldiers, but civilians with weapons and in uniforms serve.
The reinterpretation of the constitution made in 2014 (without changing its provisions) paved the way for the development and use of armed forces outside the home archipelago, however traces of superficial pacifism can still be seen, among others, in the terminology concerning vessels.
Japanese cruiser-class units are consistently called destroyers, and the Izumo type aircraft carriers (created after the reconstruction of large helicopter carriers) are named helicopter destroyers.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that - despite the suspension of military actions and trade and diplomatic contacts - Japan remains at war with Russia. The obstacle to formal peace is a dispute over part of the Kuril Islands (the Northern Territories for Japan), occupied by the Russians at the end of World War II.
"Mogami type frigates"
On September 26, a solemn launching of the new Japanese frigate of the Mogami type (30FFM) took place at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki. The vessel, which is the seventh of its type, was named Niyodo.
The Mogami type frigates are an example of the evolution of the Japanese fleet, which - just like the rest of the armed forces - in the face of a demographic crisis, must confront entirely new challenges.
The frigates have a full displacement of about 5.5 thousand tons and are 435 feet long. They were built according to stealth requirements (for low detectability), and their artillery armament includes a 127-mm Mark 45 gun supplemented by two remote-controlled gun positions.
The ship has eight type 17 anti-ship missile launchers (naval version of Type 12 missiles) with a range of 125 miles (their developmental version will reach a target 620 miles away), as well as 16 vertical Mk-41 VLS launchers and one SeaRAM launcher.
The unit also has a landing pad and hangar for one helicopter and is designed to cooperate with unmanned aircraft. Its potential will increase in the future, including specialized underwater drones, intended for detecting and combating sea mines.
"Mogami-type frigates - an exceptional combat information center"
What differentiates Mogami-class frigates from other ships of this class being built worldwide is the integration with the AEGIS combat management system. Japanese ships are among the smallest that have managed to integrate with this system.
His sensors in the form of powerful antennas are built into the four walls of the superstructure. Thanks to this, the ship can carry out constant observation of the space around it, without delays resulting from the use - as in many older ships - of rotating radar antennas.
Another innovation is the ultra-modern combat information center - Advanced Integrated Combat Information Center (AICIC). It is a command center built in such a way that its walls are covered with large screens.
Thanks to this, the crew can see the image from outside the ship, but supplemented with elements of augmented reality. This involves various indicators, target markers, danger information, or any other data that can be presented in the form of imposed on the view of the surroundings.
Constant development of the navy
The Mogami type frigates were created as successors to the older Asagiri type destroyers and are planned to take over their duties. Although Japan planned to build as many as 22 such units, the series will ultimately end with 12 ships.
However, this is not the result of budget cuts, but the conclusion that ships built since 2019 need to be modernized. Therefore, the next units will be built according to an improved design, which includes, among other things, an increase in displacement and hull length.
The new frigates complement other large units - Kongō-class missile destroyers, whose development led to the creation of subsequent subtypes of Japanese warships, such as Atago and the latest, adopted into service in 2020, Maya-class destroyers with a full displacement exceeding 10 thousand tons and a 557-feet hull.
The Japanese efforts - in collaboration with the United States - on a defense system against hypersonic missiles named GPI (Glide Phase Interceptor) complement the naval armament.
Marine anti-aircraft shield
The constant expansion and modernization by Japan of its fleet is a response to actions taken by China. By conducting naval armament, creating artificial islands, and militarizing existing archipelagos, China is attempting to extend its influence beyond what is termed the 'first island chain.' This is an imaginary line extending from southern Japan, through Taiwan and the Philippines, to Borneo.
The response to these actions is the constant development of the Japanese fleet. Thanks to its numerous and modern navy, and above all, units with the AEGIS system, Tokyo has a mobile, maritime anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic shield.
Located on ships, it allows for the distancing of threats from the native archipelago and combating current and future dangers in the form of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, which are owned by countries such as China, Russia or North Korea.
