Japan Commissions State-of-the-Art Multi-Mission Stealth Frigate

In this picture taken on Oct.14, 2012 a flag of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) flutters in the wind as MSDF escort ships Kurama and Hyuga make a fleet review off Sagami Bay, in Japan's Kanagawa prefecture. Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force on Tuesday commissioned the JS Kumano, a multi-mission stealth frigate with “destroyer capabilities” and the capacity to operate with a smaller crew than previous models.

The JS Kumano was launched by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which was given the contract by the Japanese Defense Ministry in 2018 to build the first two of the planned four frigates for the country’s navy.