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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Unveiled 30FF or DEX Next Generation Vessel Concept for the JMSDF

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Naval Industry News - Japan
 
 
 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Unveiled 30FF or DEX Next Generation Vessel Concept for the JMSDF
 
In its latest "Defense and space domain briefing" Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled a new surface combatant concept. Not much information is available but this new concept may be MHI's vision for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) next generation 3000 tons class Frigate known as "30FF" or FFX.
     
In its latest "Defense and space domain briefing" Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled a new surface combatant concept. Not much information is available but this new concept may be MHI's vision for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) next generation 3000 tons class Frigate known as "30FF" or FFX.
MHI surface combatant vessel concept revealed in its latest "Defense and space domain briefing"
could be the JMSDF future 3000 tons class frigate known as "30FF". Source: MHI
     
The MHI briefing document explains that this concept vessel is being designed to answer the new needs from the JMSDF for "compact" vessels.

The Japanese MoD expressed a new need for compatct hull Destroyers (known as DEX) in its mid-term defense program In its "Medium Term Defense Program (FY2014 - FY2018)" the Japanese MoD explains:

In defense of the seas surrounding Japan and to ensure the security of maritime traffic, the SDF will effectively
conduct various activities including holding persistent ISR and anti - submarine operations; procuring Aegis - equipped destroyers (DDG), destroyer (DD), submarines, fixed - wing patrol aircraft (P-1) and patrol helicopters (SH-60K); and conducting service - extension activities on existing destroyers, submarines, fixed-wing patrol aircraft (P-3C) and patrol helicopters (SH-60J) as stated in (1) . At the same time, it will introduce new compact- type hull destroyers with multifunctional capabilities.

     
In its latest "Defense and space domain briefing" Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled a new surface combatant concept. Not much information is available but this new concept may be MHI's vision for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) next generation 3000 tons class Frigate known as "30FF" or FFX.
The page of the MHI Briefing where the new vessel concept first appeared. Source: MHI

     
Therefore this new MHI concept may also be the answer to Japan's new need for compact destroyers.

Based on the illustration, the vessels seems to be fitted with an integrated mast with several planar arrays for radar(s), a 5 inch (127mm/L62) main gun, two remote weapon stations between the bridge and the main gun, and what could be a Phalanx CIWS on top of the helicopter hangar. We'll have to wait to know more as not much information is available at all on this new concept.

Navy Recognition believes however that this concept may be the future replacement for the JMSDF older classes of surface combatant such as the 4,900 tonnes Asagiri class and the 4,000 tonnes Hatsuyuki class.

Ed. note: Thank you to our community members from Japan "@PaveSpike" and "@yasu_osugi" for the information and details