Category: Shipbuilding

Even though it was the first unit in the series of six ordered and up to 22 required multi-purpose stealth frigates (30FFM) to be launched at the Mitsui shipyard in Tamano in mid-November, the "Kumano" is only the second of its class. The type ship, which was due to be launched at the beginning of November and whose name has not yet been announced, is still on the shelf at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki due to problems with the gas turbine train. Combined MAN diesel and Rolls-Royce gas turbine propulsion should at least accelerate these frigates to 30 knots. Compact design and automated technology have made it possible to reduce costs and crew numbers -...