On 21 May the Japanese Maritime Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned the seventh Mogami class frigate, JS Niyoda, at a ceremony at the Nagasaki shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The commissioning commanding officer is Commander Watanabe Daishiro and the JMSDF’s senior officer present was Vice Admiral Fukuda Tatsuya, Commandant, Sasebo District 4.
Niyodo was ordered in 2022 and is the first Mogami class fitted with the 16 cell Mk.41 vertical launch system (VLS). By way of background, the earlier six ships of the class were not fitted with VLS due to the global semi-conductor shortage.
Niyodo is assigned to the 12th Escort Force based in Kure.
