Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has been awarded a contract by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to build three upgraded Mogami-class multi-mission frigates (FFM), with a total contract value of 128.6 billion yen ($806 million). The award was recently disclosed by ATLA.
The three ships correspond to the third through fifth units of the new 4,800-ton-class FFM, an enhanced variant of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Mogami-class frigate—known in Tokyo as the “New FFM” and also called as the 06FFM.
The contract was signed on February 16, 2026, with MHI acting as the prime contractor. The new FFM is positioned as a core platform in the JMSDF’s next-generation surface fleet, building on the baseline Mogami-class design while incorporating enhanced mine countermeasure capabilities and improved unmanned systems integration.
Notably, the upgraded FFM is expected to feature significantly improved air defense and radar capabilities, bringing it closer in role and capability to a missile frigate (FFG). ATLA had previously awarded MHI a contract worth about 79.6 billion yen on March 27, 2025, for the construction of the first two ships of the class, making the latest award a follow-on order.
Budget vs. Contract Cost Gap
The 128.6 billion yen contract has drawn attention due to the apparent gap with Japan’s FY2025 defense budget. The budget allocated 314.8 billion yen for the same three ships (units 3–5), implying a per-unit cost of roughly 104.9 billion yen. By contrast, the contract value suggests a per-ship cost of about 42.8 billion yen, creating what appears to be a substantial discrepancy.
According to ATLA, however, the difference stems from the scope of the figures. The 314.8 billion budget yen allocation includes not only hull construction but also the procurement of onboard systems such as radar, sonar, and communications equipment. In contrast, the 128.6 billion yen contract covers only the shipyard portion—specifically hull construction—and excludes the cost of onboard systems. As such, the 42.8 billion yen figure reflects only the platform cost and not the total cost of a fully equipped warship.
This distinction highlights a common feature of modern defense procurement, where hull construction and mission systems are contracted separately. As sensor and combat system costs continue to rise, they represent an increasingly large share of total platform cost.
Rising Costs Driven by Inflation
Data from Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Maritime Staff Office indicate that the unit cost of both the Mogami-class and its upgraded successor has increased significantly in recent years.
Rising global material costs, currency depreciation, and inflation have all contributed to higher shipbuilding costs.
Upgraded Mogami-class Industrial Teaming: MHI and JMU
Under the procurement framework established through a 2023 competitive process, MHI serves as the prime contractor, with Japan Marine United (JMU) participating as a subcontractor.
For the first five ships already under contract, construction responsibilities are divided as follows:
Hull numbers have not yet been assigned, as JMSDF ship designations are typically allocated at launch.
Upgraded Mogami-class Program Outlook and Export Potential
A total of 12 upgraded FFMs are planned. Japan’s FY2026 budget includes 104.3 billion yen for the sixth ship.
The design has also been selected as the basis for the Royal Australian Navy’s future general-purpose frigate program, making it a key pillar of Japan’s defense export strategy. Tokyo has approved approximately 15.1 billion yen in subsidies to support MHI’s efforts related to the export program.
Upgraded FFM Capabilities and Armament
Compared to the baseline Mogami-class (full load displacement of 5,500 tons), the new FFM is larger, with a full load displacement of about 6,200 tons and a standard displacement of about 4,800 tons. Length and beam increase to roughly 142 meters and 17 meters, respectively. Maximum speed remains over 30 knots.
The most significant upgrade is the expanded missile capacity enabled by the larger hull. The new FFM is expected to feature:
The number of Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells is set to double from 16 on the Mogami-class to 32 on the new FFM, significantly enhancing air defense capability.
Additional improvements include an upgraded multi-function radar and enhanced sonar systems, strengthening anti-submarine warfare (ASW) performance.
Strategic Significance
The latest contract represents not only a step forward in modernizing Japan’s surface fleet but also a critical element in sustaining the country’s naval shipbuilding industrial base.
It also reinforces Japan’s ambition to expand defense exports, with the new FFM program serving as a flagship platform for international cooperation.
