Agano (あがの) is a frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the sixth ship of the Mogami class. Her namesake comes from the Agano River, which flows through Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures and into the Sea of Japan.[1][better source needed][2]

Agano leaving MHI Nagasaki shipyard after commisioning
History
Japan
NameAgano
NamesakeAgano River
Ordered2020
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki
Laid down24 June 2021
Launched21 December 2022
Commissioned20 June 2024
HomeportMaizuru
IdentificationPennant number: FFM-6
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeMogami-class frigate
Displacement
  • 3,900 tons standard
  • 5,500 tons full load
Length133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)
Draft9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 × RHIB, UUV, USV
Crew90-100
Sensors and
processing systems
  • OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar)
  • OAX-3(EO/IR)
  • OQQ-25 (VDS + TASS)
  • OQQ-11 (Mine-hunting sonar)
  • OYQ-1 (Combat management system)
  • OYX-1-29 (Console display system)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
NOLQ-3E (Passive radar system + Electronic attack capability is integrated into the main radar antenna), Chaff dispenser
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × SH-60L helicopter

She is the second ship to be named after the Agano River, after the name ship of the Agano-class cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, but she is the first JMSDF ship to be named so.[2]

History

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Agano was ordered in the fiscal year 2020, based on the Mid-Term Defense Program, with her keel being laid down at the Nagasaki Shipyard of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on the 24 June 2021,[3] and launched on the 21 December 2022 after being christened. After being fitted out and underwent sea trials, Agano was commissioned on 20 June 2024,[4][a] assigned to the Fleet Escort Force 14th Escort Division of Maizuru.[6][better source needed]

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Notes

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  1. ^ The delivery was originally scheduled for March 2024, but was postponed.[5]

References

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  1. ^ 防衛省 海上自衛隊 [@JMSDF_PAO] (21 December 2022). "12月21日、三菱重工業(株) 長崎造船所において、もがみ型護衛艦6番艦の命名式・進水式が行われ「あがの」 と命名されました。" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b "海自期待の最新護衛艦「あがの」進水 三菱・長崎 FFMもがみ型早くも6隻目" [The MSDF's newest and most anticipated destroyer, "Agano," is launched by Mitsubishi Nagasaki, already the sixth FFM Mogami-class destroyer.]. 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 21 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ "令和2年度計画護衛艦の起工式を開催" [Keel-laying ceremony held for FY2020 destroyer] (PDF) (in Japanese). Kyushu Defense Bureau. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  4. ^ "護衛艦「あがの」の引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式について" [Delivery Ceremony and Presentation of the Self-Defense Force Flag for the Destroyer Agano] (PDF) (in Japanese). Maritime Staff Office. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  5. ^ Kosuke Takahashi (21 December 2022). "海上自衛隊の最新鋭もがみ型護衛艦6番艦「あがの」進水 艦名は阿賀野川に由来" [The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest Mogami-class destroyer, the sixth, "Agano," is launched. The ship's name comes from the Agano River.]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ^ 防衛省 海上自衛隊 [@JMSDF_PAO] (20 June 2024). "6月20日、三菱重工業(株)長崎造船所で、護衛艦「あがの」引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式が実施されました。" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 June 2024 – via Twitter.

Further reading

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  • "海上自衛隊・海上保安庁 艦船の動向 令和5年度を顧みて" [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard Ship Trends: Looking Back at FY2023], Ships of the World (in Japanese), no. 1021, Kaijinsha, p. 143, 2024
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