Australia and Japan Finalize $6.5 Billion Warship Deal for Mogami-Class Frigates

Australia and Japan have formalized a significant defence contract for the acquisition of Japanese-designed warships, marking a substantial upgrade to the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet. The agreement, valued at approximately USD 6.5 billion (AUD 10 billion), will see Australia receive its first three Mogami-class frigates, with the initial vessel slated for delivery within three years.

Information was available with The Chenab Times that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will undertake the construction of these first three frigates in Japan. Australia has further plans to establish domestic production for an additional eight frigates at a shipyard located in Western Australia, fostering local defence industry capabilities.

The official signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles. The event took place aboard the Mogami-class frigate JS Kumano, a vessel belonging to the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, which was docked in Melbourne, Australia. The JS Kumano had recently participated in Exercise Kakadu, a biennial multinational maritime exercise hosted by Australia, highlighting the growing defence cooperation between the two nations.

This procurement represents a major win for Japan’s defence industry, which has been seeking to expand its international reach. Australia had previously announced in August of the previous year that the Japanese bid had triumphed over a competing offer from Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for its MEKO A-200 frigates. This decision followed an earlier instance in 2016 when Australia opted for a French company over a Japanese bid for its submarine contract.

The newly acquired Japanese-designed frigates are intended to replace Australia’s aging ANZAC-class frigates. These older vessels are considered increasingly susceptible to modern missile and drone threats. Australian officials have emphasized that the arrival of the Mogami-class frigates in 2029 will be the fastest integration of a new surface combatant into the Royal Australian Navy’s service to date.

Minister Marles stated that the acquisition signifies a critical step towards equipping Australia with a larger and more potent surface combat fleet. He elaborated on the rapid timeline for the acquisition, noting it as the quickest in the navy’s history. Japan has been actively enhancing its military capabilities and broadening its defence partnerships beyond its long-standing alliance with the United States, now viewing Australia as a key partner.

Australia has welcomed Japan’s recent adjustments to its export controls on defence equipment and technology, particularly in its dealings with trusted partners like Australia. Minister Marles highlighted Japan’s status as an industrial powerhouse, presenting numerous opportunities for Australia’s defence sector development, as exemplified by the Mogami project.

Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi commented that the integration of Japanese vessels into the Australian navy represents a significant advancement in elevating bilateral defence cooperation to a higher level. He further stated that Japan is an indispensable partner in Australia’s new defence strategy, which allocates an additional AUD 53 billion (USD 38 million) to the defence budget over the next decade.

A crucial factor in Australia’s selection of the Japanese frigates, according to Minister Koizumi, was their operational efficiency. The Mogami-class frigates can be operated by a crew of approximately 90 personnel, roughly half the crew size required for Australia’s current ANZAC-class frigates. The Australian Mogami-class frigates are expected to be outfitted with advanced surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles and will be capable of operating combat helicopters, with a crew complement of 92 sailors and officers.

---

---

Follow us on

---

(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)