Japan demonstrates a breakthrough in mine defense: the Mogami frigate successfully defused a mine using a UAV

The Mogami-class frigate, JS Mogami

In early July 2025, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced a significant achievement in the field of maritime security. The Mogami-class frigate, JS Mogami, the first ship of this new generation, successfully conducted an operation to neutralize an active naval mine using unmanned technologies.

This event took place in June and became an important stage in the testing of a new mine countermeasures system that relies on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and underwater drones. Instead of the traditional approach, in which the crew themselves are at risk, the entire operation was carried out remotely — with the possibility of monitoring and guidance from aboard the frigate or from the coastal control center.

JS *Mogami* was developed as part of the modernization program of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces, focused on increasing combat flexibility, automation and reducing the vulnerability of ships in potential conflicts. The new class of frigates is characterized by a high degree of digitalization, compact size and enhanced equipment for solving the tasks of mine warfare, anti-submarine defense and rapid response.

The successful mine clearance operation not only confirms the effectiveness of new technologies, but also indicates that Japan is moving to the forefront in the use of robotic systems in naval operations. This is especially important in the context of growing threats in the waters of the East China and South China Seas, where the relevance of mine defense is constantly increasing.