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| FFM-4 JS Mikuma prior to being launched. Photo : JMSDF |
The fourth Mogami-class multi-mission frigate built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has been launched at Mitsubishi Heavy Industry's Nagasaki Shipyard on 10th Dec 2021. It is named the JS Mikuma ( みくま ) and has the pennant number FFM-4. In kanji characters mikuma would be written as 三隈.
The name is derived from the Mikuma River of Kyushu's Oita Prefecture, which is consistent with Japanese MOD's policy of naming destroyers and frigates after natural phenomena, mountains, rivers and localities. The source of the Mikuma River could be traced to the northern slopes of the active volcano Mt Aso and it would continue as the Chikugo River as it flows westwards all the way to the Ariake Sea.
It would be the third Japanese ship to bear that name, the first being the WWII era heavy cruiser IJNS Mikuma and the second being the Cold War era destroyer escort JS Mikuma ( DE-217 ).
A total of 22 multi-mission frigates had been planned for the JMSDF in order to increase the number of escort vessels in its surface fleet from the current 47 to 54. They will be constructed at a rate of two per year and so far the shipyards have been keeping to their schedule. JS Kumano, the first frigate to be launched, is now undergoing sea trials and would be commissioned in Mar 2022.
The naming and launching ceremony of the JS Mikuma was officiated by Vice Admiral Deguchi Katsuto, Commander Sasebo Naval District. The guest of honor was Oniki Makoto, the deputy Minister for Defense.
More on the multi-mission frigate here.
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| JS Mikuma at launch. Photo : JMSDF |
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| JS Mikuma at launch. Photo : Oniki Makoto |
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| JS Mikuma name revealed. Photo : Sasebo Regional HQ |
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| Minister Oniki Makoto. Photo : JMSDF |
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| JS Mikuma naming document. Photo : Oniki Makoto |
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JS Mikuma prior to launch. Photo : JMSDF
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JS Mikuma prior to launch. Photo : Sasebo Regional HQ
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Celebrating the launch of JS Mikuma by @ginntokii.
Map of Mikuma and Chikugo River at top right. |
Launch of JS
Mikuma FFM-4. Video : JMSDF
Inspection Of JS Mogami
As deputy Defense Minister Oniki launched the JS Mikuma, he also took the opportunity to inspect the first-in-class JS Mogami which was being fitted at the same shipyard. These are probably the first official close-up photos of the frigates. Of course we can expect more in another two months when the JS Kumano and JS Mogami are commissioned.
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| Oniki and entourage in front of the JS Mogami's main gun. Photo : ATLA |
Notice the extreme inclination of the side window panels of the bridge, almost like an extension of the sloping ship superstructure. Yet the front panels are inclined from the vertical plane top out like most conventional bridge windows, as evident from the reflection of the man standing in the background in the extreme right of the image.
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| On the upper deck behind the main gun. Photo : ATLA |
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| Inspecting the bridge. Photo ATLA |
The sloping starboard side window panels can be clearly seen in the above photo. Just like the half completed mast, the bridge is also still under construction.
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| Minister Oniki being briefed. Photo : ATLA |
