Mitsubishi Delivers 7th Miyako-Class Patrol Vessel Hiroshima to Japan Coast Guard
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has delivered the patrol vessel Hiroshima (PL-207), the seventh ship of the Miyako-class, to the Japan Coast Guard. The handover ceremony took place at MHI’s Tamano facility in Okayama Prefecture, attended by JCG Deputy Director General Wataru Sasaki and shipyard officials.
At a Glance
- Hiroshima (PL-207) is the seventh of the 3,500-tonne Miyako-class large patrol vessels to be delivered.
- The handover ceremony was held at MHI’s Tamano facility.
- The vessel was ordered under the FY2022 budget; its naming and launching ceremony took place on 11 September 2025.
- It measures roughly 120 metres in length with a 14-metre beam and about 3,500 gross tonnes.
- Four Yanmar 8EY33W diesel engines produce a combined 24,000 horsepower; the ship carries two 40mm single-barrel guns.
Delivery Details
Following its launch, Hiroshima underwent roughly a year of outfitting work covering the hull, engines, electrical systems and weapons before being handed over to the Japan Coast Guard within fiscal year 2026. It is the sixth 3,500-tonne patrol vessel built at the Tamano yard specifically, while MHI had already launched the class’s eighth hull earlier, indicating the production line is running at a steady, uninterrupted pace.
Miyako-class large patrol vessels are tasked with protecting Japan’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, alongside search-and-rescue and disaster-response duties. Their relatively high tonnage and powerful propulsion allow for sustained endurance during extended patrols and in demanding sea conditions.
Regional Impact: The Coast Guard Build-Up in the East China Sea
The Hiroshima handover fits into Japan’s broader effort to reinforce its coast guard fleet amid persistent tension around the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands in the East China Sea. As China’s Coast Guard has expanded its patrol activity in the area, Japan is growing its fleet of large-tonnage patrol vessels to sustain its regional presence. The United States has backed allied efforts to bolster Japan’s coast guard capacity as part of a wider pattern of simultaneous fleet growth among Indo-Pacific coast guard services. The programme also reflects a broader global trend: navies and coast guards worldwide are increasing investment in multi-role, medium-to-large offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) as maritime presence missions grow in priority.
FAQ
Which class does Hiroshima belong to? It is the seventh ship in the 3,500-tonne Miyako-class family of large patrol vessels.
When was it launched? Its naming and launching ceremony was held on 11 September 2025 at the Tamano facility.
What is its primary mission? Territorial waters and exclusive economic zone patrol, search-and-rescue, and disaster response.
How many ships are in the class so far? By the time Hiroshima was delivered, MHI had already launched the class’s eighth hull, with the programme continuing.
