JS Agano explained

Agano (あがの) is a frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the sixth ship of the . Her namesake comes from the Agano River, which flows through Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures and into the Sea of Japan.^{[1] [2]}

She is the second ship to be named after the Agano River, after the name ship of the s of the Imperial Japanese Navy, but she is the first JMSDF ship to be named so.^[2]

History

Agano was ordered in the fiscal year 2020, based on the Mid-Term Defense Program, with her keel being laid down at the Nagasaki Shipyard of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on the 24 June 2021,^[3] and launched on the 21 December 2022 after being christened. After being fitted out and underwent sea trials, Agano was commissioned on 20 June 2024,^[4] assigned to the Fleet Escort Force 14th Escort Division of Maizuru.^[5]

Notes and References

1. 1605467588623945728 . JMSDF_PAO . 12月21日、三菱重工業(株) 長崎造船所において、もがみ型護衛艦6番艦の命名式・進水式が行われ「あがの」 と命名されました。 . 防衛省 海上自衛隊 . 2022-12-21 . 2022-12-21.
2. News: 2022-12-21 . 海自期待の最新護衛艦「あがの」進水 三菱・長崎 FFMもがみ型早くも6隻目 . The MSDF's newest and most anticipated destroyer, "Agano," is launched by Mitsubishi Nagasaki, already the sixth FFM Mogami-class destroyer. . 2024-01-01 . 乗りものニュース . Japanese.
3. Web site: 2021-06-24 . 令和２年度計画護衛艦の起工式を開催 . Keel-laying ceremony held for FY2020 destroyer . 2022-12-21 . Kyushu Defense Bureau . Japanese.
4. Web site: 2024-06-14 . 護衛艦「あがの」の引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式について . Delivery Ceremony and Presentation of the Self-Defense Force Flag for the Destroyer Agano . 2024-06-14 . Maritime Staff Office . Japanese.
5. 1803715619948519425 . JMSDF_PAO . 6月20日、三菱重工業（株）長崎造船所で、護衛艦「あがの」引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式が実施されました。 . 防衛省 海上自衛隊 . 2024-06-20 . 2024-06-20.