Sakura-class patrol ship

On 30 June 2022, the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPV) for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a cost of ¥ 9 billion (US$66 million) per ship. Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) is the prime contractor for this program with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) chosen to be the subcontractor. Both JMU and MHI as well as Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding had submitted preliminary designs for the proposed next-generation OPVs.^[1][5]

According to a video release in July 2021 by the Ministry of Defense's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the purpose of this OPV program is to provide enhanced maritime security, particularly around the southwestern Ryukyu Islands and the East China Sea, including the disputed territories over the Senkaku Islands (See map).^[1][5]

The Sakura-class will replace the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Hayabusa-class patrol boats currently deployed in patrol missions and as escorts for warships belonging to other navies in the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and Pacific Ocean. The OPV will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, since its armament is limited and will be primarily used in patrol sorties.^[6][7][8]

Four ships were initially scheduled to be introduced by fiscal year 2024, followed by 12 within the next five years.^[6] The first four OPVs are part of the 2023 Defense budget of the Japanese MOD.^[7]

The Sakura-class vessels are highly automated and configurable to meet a variety of missions to provide sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in maritime patrol surrounding Japan. Japan Marine United was contracted to build all 12 vessels for the JMSDF, starting from 1 April 2023. The vessels each displace 1,920 long tons (1,950 t) while measuring about 95 m (311 ft 8 in) in length and 12 m (39 ft 4 in) in width.^[1][5] The OPV will be fitted with the UNIted COmbined Radio aNtenna (UNICORN) NORA-50 integration mast and Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN), the former of which has tactical data antennas contained in its bar-shaped dome. ATLA stated that UNICORN, which the Mogami-class frigates under procurement at the time is also being equipped with, has a decreased radar cross section (RCS) due to its stealthy outline.^[6]

According to its published budget overview, for Fiscal Year 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Defense allocated 35.7 billion yen ($230 million USD) for the first four ships in the next-generation OPV program.^[9] The keels for the first four vessels were laid down at Japan Marine United's Yokohama shipyard Isogo Works, with the first two being launched on 13 November 2025, and second two launched on 13 March 2026.^[2][3] All four vessels are planned to be commissioned in March 2027.

• Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept