Japan has contracted Austria’s Palfinger Marine to deliver stern launch and recovery systems (Stern-LARS) for its upcoming FFM-class multirole frigates. Covering the first five vessels to be constructed between 2027 and 2036 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the deal modernizes Japan’s naval fleet. Palfinger’s slipway systems are designed for safe, single-operator deployment of small boats and unmanned surface vehicles, eliminating manual handling risks and accelerating operations. Previously, Palfinger supported all 12 Mogami-class frigates. The new FFM-class, with a larger hull than Mogami-class ships, will expand mission versatility, especially for unmanned platform use. Japan’s Mogami-class entered service in 2022, optimized for multi-domain warfare, and Mitsubishi recently launched the 11th ship of the series.
