Japan is open to the transfer of complete design and construction rights of the Mogami-class stealth frigate to India, a report stated. If true, some of the world’s most advanced frontline stealth warships will be built in Indian shipyards, paving the way for a new defence and strategic tie-up between two Asian maritime powers.
Japan is reportedly ready to release the complete design of the Mogami-class stealth frigates, which are known for their modern anti-submarine, anti-surface, and maritime patrol capabilities. The offer is that New Delhi can include them in the "Make in India" list while using the same "selected critical materials and certain sensitive technologies" that the Japanese Navy uses, a report said. The deal has the potential to influence the dynamics in the Western Pacific as well as the Indian Ocean.
What are Mogami-class warships?
Each Japanese Mogami-class multi-mission frigate is reportedly 132.5 metres long and can travel at 30 knots (56 km/h) best. Originally built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, the vessel uses a combination of Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and two MAN diesel engines. All frigates within the Mogami class are reportedly named after famous Japanese rivers.
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Commissioned in 2022, the Mogami-class boasts a high degree of overall automation and a low radar signature and damage control. However, most defence experts highlight the fact that its upgraded versions require just 90 personnel as the star attraction, as modern warfare capability with minimal manpower is the dream of every navy.
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"The Mogami class is currently equipped with a 127-millimetre Mk 45 naval gun, eight Type 17 anti-ship missiles, a SeaRAM defence system, and a 16-cell vertical launcher. Its anti-submarine design also includes variable depth sonar, towed sonar, and helicopter support—capabilities that are increasingly important as China's submarine fleet increases in the Indian Ocean," a Malaysian report said.
The missile array provides layered defence and attack capabilities. As per a 2023 TWZ report: "They also boast Lockheed Martin’s 16-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system for launching MHI’s Type 03 Chu-SAM surface-to-air missiles. The vessels can fire eight ship-launched variants of MHI’s Type 12 anti-ship missile. Raytheon’s SeaRAM system provides a close-in last line of defence against incoming missiles and even small boats. Sea mines—exactly which variants are unclear—along with mine-laying equipment can be deployed for mine warfare work."
Japan trusts Australia, India to counter Chinese dominance?
Australia and Japan recently signed a $7 billion deal for upgraded Mogami-class warships. This purchase is said to have triggered interest from New Zealand and Indonesia in sealing similar deals, but nothing solid has materialised so far, reports indicate.
Only initial talks regarding the transfer have been conducted, and neither government has officially confirmed the development, Defence Security Asia said in a report. While the talks took place on 19 and 20 April, there was no information on the schedule or the specifics of the tech transfer involved, the report added.
Japan is not known for transferring advanced combat platforms or naval technology to even its closest allies. Thus, letting New Delhi not only build its stealth frigates but also integrate its technology is a clear signal that the East Asian country is looking to open a new frontier of cooperation with India.
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Apart from design data, production support, and tech transfer, Japan is also open to discussing the possibilities of joint frigate development in the future, Defence Security Asia noted. At a time when India is playing catch-up with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's numerical superiority, access to Japanese tech will be a major boost, the report added.