Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel program

Last updated
Japan MOD-Next-Gen-OPV-design-ATLA 2022 fixed.jpg
Official artist conception
Class overview
Builders Japan Marine United (JMU), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
OperatorsNaval Ensign of Japan.svg  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Planned12
General characteristics
Type Offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
Displacement1,920 long tons (1,950 t) standard
Length95 m (311 ft 8 in)
Beam12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Propulsion Combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD)
Speed20  kn (23 mph; 37 km/h)
Complement30
Armament1 × foredeck-mounted 30-mm naval gun for self-defense
Aircraft carried Mitsubishi SH-60J/K/L or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Aviation facilitiesMulti-purpose helicopter-UAV hangar and landing deck
NotesContainerized mission modules, stern crane, launch and recovery system (LARS)

The Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program consists of a planned 12 OPV-type patrol vessels to be operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Contents

Background

Exclusive economic zone of Japan. Disputed areas are marked in lighter color. Japan Exclusive Economic Zones.png
Exclusive economic zone of Japan. Disputed areas are marked in lighter color.

On 30 June 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPV) for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$66 million) per ship. Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) is the prime contractor for this program with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) chosen to be the subcontractor. Both JMU and MHI as well as Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding had submitted preliminary designs for the proposed next-generation OPVs. [1] [2]

According to a video release in July 2021 by the MOD's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around the southwestern Ryukyu Islands, including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region (See map). [1] [2]

Four ships were initially scheduled to be introduced by FY2024, and 12 by FY2029. [3] The first four OPVs are part of the 2023 Defense budget of the Japanese MOD. [4]

Design

These vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a wide range of missions to provide “enhanced steady-state intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in the waters around Japan.” Under the contract, JMU is charged with delivering the 12 vessels to the JMSDF from fiscal year 2023, which starts on April 1, 2023. The vessels each displace 1,920 long tons (1,950 t) while measuring about 95 m (311 ft 8 in) in length and 12 m (39 ft 4 in) in width. [1] [2] The OPV will use the UNIted COmbined Radio aNtenna (UNICORN) NORA-50 integration mast, which has a bar-shaped dome that houses the antennas for tactical data link, Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN), and communications. According to ATLA, UNICORN has a shape designed to reduce the radar cross section (RCS), which makes it stealthy. It is currently being installed on the Mogami-class frigates entering service or under construction. In addition, there is a possibility that they will be considered for integration into the OPV. [3]

Equipment

Ship & power systems

Each OPV features a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) propulsion system, wherein an electric motor and a diesel engine act on a single propeller, providing a maximum speed in excess of 20  kn (23 mph; 37 km/h). The conception artwork also depicts a bow thruster system. [1] [2] Each OPV will be armed with a foredeck-mounted 30-mm naval gun for self-defense. A crane is fitted to the aft section of the vessel near the multi-purpose hangar and multipurpose rear deck for helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. A launch and recovery system (LARS) is also integrated to the stern. [1] [2]

Mission modules

The OPVs have ISO containerization capabilities for mission modules that can be installed on board. [1] [2] Minesweeping-related equipment, such as the Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) and Expendable Mine Disposal (EMD), were part of the preliminary design work by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding and displayed at the 2019 MAST Asia defense trade-show, but no decision was made on the final mine counter-measures (MCM) suite. [3]

Operational concept

According to a video release in July 2021 by the MOD's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around the southwestern Ryukyu Islands, including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, by boosting JMSDF patrol activities in the region. [1] [2] The OPV will take over the patrol missions of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Hayabusa-class patrol boats currently operated by JMSDF, including monitoring of other countries’ military vessels in the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and Pacific Ocean. While the OPV's primary mission is patrol, and its armament is very limited, it will be very well equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). [3] [4] [5]

Procurement

According to its published budget overview, for Fiscal Year 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Defense allocated 25.7 billion yens ($190 million USD) for the first four ships in the next-generation OPV program. [6]

Ships in the class

Pennant No.NameHome portUnitShipyardPlanLaid downLaunchedCommissionedStatusNote
TBDUnit 1TBDTBD JMU 2023TBDTBDTBDAuthorized [5] [6]
TBDUnit 2TBDTBD JMU 2023TBDTBDTBDAuthorized [5] [6]
TBDUnit 3TBDTBD JMU 2023TBDTBDTBDAuthorized [5] [6]
TBDUnit 4TBDTBD JMU 2023TBDTBDTBDAuthorized [5] [6]
TBDUnit 5TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 6TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 7TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 8TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 9TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 10TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 11TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending
TBDUnit 12TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDPending

Naming conventions

The proposed JMSDF next-generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) have not been officially named. Ships of the JMSDF are known as Japan Ships (自衛艦; Ji'ei-Kan) and are classified according to the warship type. Patrol boats (PG) are named for birds, grass or one that added a number to the type. It is not known if these proposed next-generation offshore patrol vessels will have a new type designation (i.e., OPV) or patrol boats (PG)..

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kosuke Takahashi (2 July 2022). "Japan Awards Contract to Shipbuilder JMU for 12 New Offshore Patrol Vessels". The Diplomat . Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jr Ng (July 14, 2022). "Japan Marine United selected to build JMSDF's next-gen OPV". Asia Military Review. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Yoshihiro Inaba (17 July 2021). "Video: Japan's Latest And Future Naval Defense Equipment". Naval News. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 Ridzwan Rahmat (8 September 2022). "Japan outlines funding proposal for new OPVs, anti-submarine helicopters in 2023". Janes.com . Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Defense Programs and Budget of Japan FY Reiwa 5 (2023) Budget Overview" (PDF). Budget overview. Japanese Ministry of Defense. December 23, 2022. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-01-09. Japanese
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Programs and Budget of Japan" (PDF). USNI News Blog. United States Naval Institute. March 30, 2023. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-03-31. English language version; hereafter as MOD FY23 Budget Overview.

Bibliography

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