Exclusive: Japan Boosts Naval Power with New Anti-Air Frigate to Enhance Strike and Air Defense.

As reported by Takahashi Kosuke on May 21, 2025, at the DSEI Japan 2025 exhibition held from May 21 to 23, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries publicly presented for the first time in Japan a 1:100 scale model of the new Future Multi-mission Frigate – Anti-Air Warfare (FMF-AAW). This ship represents an upgraded variant of the Mogami-class multi-role escort frigate, which is currently in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The model, measuring approximately 1.4 meters in length, was displayed at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries booth and illustrates the enhanced design and capabilities of the FMF-AAW. According to the company, this is the first time the upgraded frigate has been shown domestically.
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The FMF-AAW incorporates systems that allow automatic port entries and exits, autonomous following of other vessels, and automated zigzag maneuvering. (Picture source: Twitter/Martin M.)

The FMF-AAW, also referred to as the "new FFM," is designed to gradually replace the existing Mogami-class, and both ship types will together form a 24-unit stealth frigate fleet for the JMSDF. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced that the Mogami-class production will conclude with the 2023 fiscal year batch, completing a total of twelve vessels. Beginning with the 2024 fiscal year, a new phase of construction will introduce the FMF-AAW design. Japan plans to build twelve ships of the new type across five fiscal years. The procurement has already been partially funded: two ships were allocated under the 2024 budget and three more under the 2025 budget. This brings the planned total of the combined stealth escort fleet to 24 ships. The decision to cease further construction of the Mogami-class and instead adopt an upgraded model reflects a revised planning direction from the Ministry of Defense and the JMSDF, which seeks enhanced capabilities, expanded missile integration, and further reduction in crew requirements. The first and second ships of the FMF-AAW class are scheduled to be commissioned by fiscal year 2028.

The Future Multi-mission Frigate – Anti-Air Warfare (FMF-AAW) shows clear differences in size and displacement when compared to the current Mogami-class. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries specifies that the new ship has a full load displacement of approximately 6,200 tons and a standard displacement of about 4,800 tons. The overall length is around 142 meters, and the beam is 17 meters. By contrast, the Mogami-class has a full load displacement of 5,500 tons, standard displacement of 3,900 tons, an overall length of 133 meters, and a beam of 16.3 meters. Both ship types are capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots. The increased dimensions of the FMF-AAW will enable greater internal volume for system integration and expanded operational capacity, while maintaining the stealth characteristics of the original design. In terms of size, the FMF-AAW is comparable to the Takanami-class destroyers, which have a standard displacement of 4,650 tons.

One of the main upgrades in the FMF-AAW is the increased number of Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells. The Mogami-class is equipped with 16 VLS cells placed on the foredeck in front of the bridge. In the new FMF-AAW, this number has been doubled to 32 cells in the same area, made possible by the enlarged hull and deck space. This configuration enables the FMF-AAW to launch a broader range of missiles. The Mogami-class is expected to carry the Mitsubishi-built Type 07 vertically launched ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket), a missile system that delivers a lightweight torpedo over extended ranges compared to conventional torpedoes. However, it lacks the ability to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles. The FMF-AAW, in contrast, is built with sufficient space to support missiles such as the Standard Missile (SM) series and is equipped to carry both the Type 07 ASROC and the new A-SAM (Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile).

The A-SAM is intended to improve the FMF-AAW's air defense capabilities, which were limited on the Mogami-class. The FMF-AAW is also set to replace the 17SSM anti-ship missile used on the Mogami-class with the improved version of the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM), which is a long-range standoff weapon. The development of the ship-launched variant of the enhanced Type 12 SSM is scheduled to be completed by fiscal year 2026. The inclusion of these new missiles reflects a broader shift toward extending engagement range and diversifying threat response capabilities. Unlike the Mogami-class, which does not include surface-to-air missiles beyond ASROC, the FMF-AAW is capable of operating both anti-submarine and anti-air systems. With the improved Type 12 SSM and A-SAM, the FMF-AAW offers multi-domain strike options from a single hull configuration.

According to descriptions provided by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the FMF-AAW is designed to support a wider variety of maritime operations with enhanced anti-submarine functions, long-range missile capabilities, and reduced crew demands. The vessel incorporates systems that allow automatic port entries and exits, autonomous following of other vessels, and automated zigzag maneuvering. These features are part of Japan’s broader effort to develop surface combatants that can operate with fewer personnel while maintaining or improving mission performance. The FMF-AAW is also being used as the reference platform for frigates that Japan aims to export to other countries, including Australia, suggesting an industrial focus not only on domestic fleet enhancement but also on expanding the export potential of Japanese-designed warships. With the integration of advanced missile systems, larger dimensions, and improved automation, the FMF-AAW is positioned to form the basis of Japan’s future surface fleet strategy. The decision to build twelve ships of this type alongside the original twelve Mogami-class ships is intended to create a consistent fleet of 24 modern stealth escort vessels with enhanced versatility and operational endurance.