The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L prototype, seen here in a test flight, took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 2021 from Nagoya Airport. Japan has proposed an acquisition programme for six SH-60L airframes, which is based on the XSH-60L, for its 2023 defence budget. (MHI)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has requested funding for a new class of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and a new type of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter in its 2023 defence budget proposal.

Besides these new platforms, the MoD has also included two more Mogami-class multirole guided-missile frigates, a Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK), and a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in its proposal.

The new OPV class will likely derive its design from the 95 m concept that was submitted by Japan Marine United (JMU) for the country's next-generation patrol vessel programme.

The helicopter-capable OPV will displace about 1,920 tonnes. It will be powered by engines arranged in a combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD) configuration and it can attain a maximum speed of more than 20 kt. Its primary weapon is a 30 mm naval gun in the forward section.