The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned its newest frigate in a ceremony on Tuesday, March 22.
Built by Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, JS Kumano is the second of a planned seven Mogami-class stealth frigates. This number also includes six ships to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Named after a river in central Japan, Kumano measures 130 by 16 metres and is powered by a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and two MAN diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) arrangement that delivers a speed of over 30 knots.
Armament includes a 127-millimetre naval gun, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, and mines.
