The ship is named after the Mikuma River, which runs through Oita Prefecture in Kyusu. The shipyard will now move on to the frigate’s fitting-out stage, with delivery and commissioning scheduled for the end of 2022/beginning of 2023.
The FFM is the JMSDF’s next-generation multi-mission frigate. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will acquire 22 Frigates.
The FFM multi-mission frigate will have a full load displacement of around 5,500 tonnes, a length of 132.5 metres, and a beam of 16.3 metres, according to MHI. It will have a top speed of more than 30 knots. The crew complement will be relatively small, around 90 sailors, implying a high level of automation on board.
