Mogami-class Frigate

Japan's stealth frigate — and its first big arms export — the Mogami-class (30FFM) is a compact, low-signature multi-mission warship that does the work of larger ships with a remarkably small, highly-automated crew. It folds anti-submarine, anti-air and surface combat together with mine warfare and unmanned systems on one stealthy hull. And in 2025 it became a landmark of Japanese rearmament and export policy: Australia chose the Upgraded Mogami over a German rival for its future frigate fleet — Tokyo's first major overseas defence contract in the postwar era.

Overview

The Mogami-class (designated 30FFM, also 30DX) is a multi-mission stealth frigate built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Its design goals were capability density, stealth and efficiency: a low-radar-cross-section hull (with reduced infrared and acoustic signatures) packing area air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface weapons, mine-countermeasures capability, and the ability to deploy unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, all operated by a small, heavily-automated crew (around 90, far fewer than comparable warships) using a futuristic combat-information centre with panoramic and augmented-reality displays. At roughly 133 m and ~5,500 tonnes it is a true multi-role frigate built in numbers to expand the JMSDF's fleet affordably. An evolved "Upgraded Mogami" (with a larger hull, expanded sensors and a bigger missile battery) was selected by Australia in 2025 — making the class the centrepiece of Japan's emergence as a defence exporter.

🔒 The full Mogami-class Frigate file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →