Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has launched the Japan Coast Guard’s new large patrol vessel, JS Yashima (PLH-46), at its Shimonoseki Shipyard Enoura Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The 134-meter vessel was constructed under a fiscal 2023 supplementary budget valued at approximately 19.6 billion yen. The new patrol ship is described as a second-generation Mizuho-class platform and will replace the original JS Yashima, which entered service in 1988 but was retired early because of serious hull deterioration. The vessel is designed for maritime law enforcement, search-and-rescue missions, and operations in challenging environments. It can achieve speeds above 25 knots and features a flight deck and hangar capable of supporting two medium helicopters, including platforms comparable to the Bell 412 and Sikorsky S-76D. Its weapons and mission equipment include 40mm and 20mm guns and remotely operated water cannons. Following completion of outfitting, including propulsion, electronics, and weapons systems, the vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
