Japan’s Mitsui E&S Launches ‘Kumano’ 「くまの」 New 30FFM Frigate For JMSDF

Japanese shipyard Mitsui E & S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd in Okayama launched on 19 November 2020 a new type of next generation frigate for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) known as 30FFM.
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The vessel is named after the Kumano river in the Kii Peninsula of
central Japan. The shipyard will now proceed to the fitting out stage of
the frigate, ahead of its delivery set for 2021.

"Kumano" is actually the second vessel of the series. The first-in-class
ship is still under construction at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in
Nagasaki.

For the record, MHI won a contract from the Japanese MoD in August 2018 for the production of the first two frigates. Mitsui E&S received a
subcontracting order from MHI for the construction of the second frigate. Kumano is the company's 2050th ship.

Taking a close look at Japan's latest frigate, Naval News can tell that
stealth was a key requirement of the design and was pushed to the limit
with some very sleek and modern lines.

30FMM will act as a UUV and USV mothership but all the launch and
recovery systems are hidden inside its main structure, behind large
doors which are flush with the hull.

Likewise, most sensors will be integrated on the mast to minimize the
radar cross section.

30FFM will have a relatively limited weapons fit, which is similar to
some of Europe's latest surface combatants such as:
- The UK's Type 31
- Germany's F125
or Italy's PPA light

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