Mitsubishi Unveils Japan’s Future 3000 Ton FFX Frigate

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has unveiled a new surface combatant concept 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", Navy Recognition reported Friday.

The Japanese MoD said in the mid-term defense program that there is need for compact hull Destroyers (known as DEX).

According to the program, the vessels appears 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.

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.