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The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned its newest stealth frigate into service in a ceremony on Thursday, June 20. JS Agano is the fifth frigate to be built under the Mogami-class. Construction of the vessel took place at the Nagasaki facilities of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The Mogami-class frigates were developed in response to the JMSDF's need for multi-role surface combatants to replace the Asagiri-class destroyers and Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were originally designed in the 1980s. The newer frigates also needed to possess nearly similar capabilities as the Akizuki-class destroyers but with smaller crew complements and fewer missile launchers.
Like its sisters, Agano measures 130 by 16 metres and displaces approximately 5,500 tonnes at full load. Power is provided by a Rolls-Royce gas turbine and two MAN diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) arrangement to deliver speeds in excess of 30 knots. Armament includes a 127mm naval gun, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, machine guns on remote weapon stations, and mines.
