Australia and Japan have reached a landmark defence-industry agreement for the production of advanced warships for the Australian Navy. The deal, worth $10 billion Australian dollars (some $6.5 billion), involves the purchase of 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the agreement was the largest defence-industry deal ever struck between Japan and Australia.
“The benefits of this deal are significant,” Marles said. “The Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates capable of launching long-range missiles, and have an operational range of up to 10,000 nautical miles (18,520km), compared with Australia’s current Anzac-class frigates, which have a range of about 6,000 nautical miles (11,112km).” The new ships will also operate with a smaller crew than the Anzac class, making them more efficient and effective.
The deal is seen as a significant moment in the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan, with Marles saying it will enhance joint operations and interoperability with both Australia and the United States. “It is a next-generation vessel. It is stealthy,” Marles said. “It’s going to be really important in terms of giving our navy the capability to project, and impactful projection is at the heart of the strategic challenge.”
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the deal will significantly enhance the Navy’s capabilities. “It will take our general purpose frigates from being able to fire 32 air defence missiles to 128 missiles, giving our sailors the cutting-edge weapons and combat systems they need,” Conroy said.
Japanese Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani said the deal was a “major step forward in Japan’s defence cooperation efforts”. “The benefits include enhanced joint operations and interoperability with both Australia and the United States,” he told a briefing in Tokyo. “This collaboration is of significant security importance to Japan,” Nakatani said.
The contract for the frigates is Japan’s biggest and most significant defence deal since it lifted a decades-long ban on military exports in 2014. Negotiations will begin this year on a contract for the deal, which is expected to be signed in 2026. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructuring announced in 2023, with a focus on long-range strike capabilities to better respond to China’s naval might.
Australia is striving to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next 10 years. The deal with Japan is part of a broader effort to enhance Australia’s military capabilities and secure its interests in the region. The new ships will be in service by 2030 and will play a critical role in Australia’s naval operations.
The agreement between Australia and Japan is seen as a significant development in the region, with implications for regional security and stability. As Australia and Japan continue to strengthen their defence ties, the deal is expected to have a lasting impact on the region’s security landscape.