Shangri-La-Dialogue 2026: Japan Exhibits Propensity For Exporting Frigates To New Zealand in 1st Trilateral Defence Talks.

Singapore City; May 2026: Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi made a pitch for the possible export of the country’s advanced Mogami-class frigate to New Zealand yesterday (Saturday – 30th May 2026) during the first trilateral meeting with his New Zealand and Australian counterparts.

Koizumi, New Zealand’s Chris Penk and Australia’s Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security forum in Singapore, reaffirming their commitment to closer defence cooperation following Japan’s recent easing of rules governing defence equipment exports. “We will move forward with discussions on a defence equipment transfer agreement with New Zealand,” Koizumi told reporters after the trilateral meeting, referring to the deal that would enable Japan to export frigates to New Zealand.

“I told them that if New Zealand were to select our vessel, it would not only deepen defence cooperation between Japan and New Zealand but could also improve interoperability and operational compatibility among the three countries”, including Australia, he said.

Japan believes closer defence cooperation among the three countries will bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region amid China’s military buildup and growing maritime assertiveness.

Koizumi also had a separate meeting with New Zealand’s Penk, who became defence minister last month, and welcomed New Zealand’s decision to include the highly stealthy Maritime Self-Defence Force vessel among the candidates to replace the country’s aging frigate fleet. “I am very pleased that we are able to begin trilateral discussions at such an early stage, especially as New Zealand has shown interest in the Mogami-class frigate”, Koizumi told his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand.

As New Zealand is also considering Britain’s Type 31 frigate, Penk said a decision on its selection is expected to be made toward the end of 2027, according to Japan’s Defence Ministry. “Anything that New Zealand can do to work alongside these nations, we will firmly take that opportunity”, Penk said, adding that cooperation among the three nations is “crucial for the future of this region”.

Australia, whom Japan describes as one of its closest security partners outside its alliance with the United States, has already selected a design based on the Mogami class for a next-generation frigate program, with the vessels to be developed with Japan. Japanese officials believe the use of similar vessels by all three countries would improve interoperability and strengthen security cooperation.

The three ministers exchanged views on regional security issues and agreed to work together toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific” – an initiative first put forward in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that stresses the importance of the rule of law. They also agreed to expand joint training and exercises among their forces to improve interoperability and operational cooperation.

Japan revised its three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology, and related implementation guidelines in April, easing restrictions on arms exports. Under the revised rules, Japan can export weapons, including warships, to countries that have concluded agreements with Tokyo on the protection of classified information and other security matters.

“The purpose of Japan’s defence equipment transfers is to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and prevent new conflicts from breaking out”, Koizumi said.

International analysts have flagged that, New Zealand’s purchase of Mogami class means all three nations would be familiar with the capabilities of each other’s ships, cross training in procedures can occur, any innovations by one can be swiftly adopted by all, plus future expansion of fleet numbers becomes easier and faster with two nations producing the same platforms using the same parts locally produced. The alternative for New Zealand would be to wait for parts from Europe during any regional conflict and with possible blockades making it more difficult to maintain type 31 ships made only in UK.

However, Maverick News 30 would emphasise that Australia’s April 2026 decision to acquire 11 warships based on the Japanese Mogami-class design has heavily influenced New Zealand’s deliberations. Because Australia will operate the same class of ship, choosing the Mogami would allow New Zealand to share maintenance, training, and supply chains across the Tasman Sea, streamlining regional defence operations.

Earlier, on the 07th of this month (May 2026), New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk announced that the country had begun discussions with both the RAN and the UK’s Royal Navy regarding future frigate replacement planning and sustainment arrangements.

“Our decision to prioritise discussions with our partners and focus on considering the Japanese Mogami-class frigate selected by Australia and the UK’s Type 31 frigates reflects our need to be interoperable and leverage efficiencies” Penk said.

The RNZN’s two Anzac-class frigates: HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana had entered service in 1997 and 1999 respectively and are expected to reach the end of their design life by the mid-2030s. Under New Zealand’s 2025 Defence Capability Plan, replacement of the Anzac-class frigates has been identified as an indicative investment priority for the 2029–2039 period.

Why is the New FFM attracting attention? Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class design is an enhanced evolution of the JMSDF’s current Mogami-class frigate. Developed primarily by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the New FFM increases full-load displacement from about 5,500 tons to around 6,200 tons. Tokyo plans to budget funding for the construction of 12 ships between FY2024 and FY2028, with the first two scheduled to enter service in fiscal 2028.

One of the frigate’s key advantages is its advanced automation. The ship is designed to operate with a crew of roughly 90 personnel, those which are substantially fewer than comparable Western frigates, and thus making it attractive for smaller navies facing manpower shortages.

The Australian configuration is expected to include 32-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch Systems capable of firing ESSM Block 2 missiles, as well as Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM). The vessel also integrates multifunction sonar systems, Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes and mine warfare capability.

Australia selected the New FFM in August 2025 under the SEA 3000 General Purpose Frigate programme. Canberra plans to acquire 11 ships, with the first three to be built in Japan and the remainder in Western Australia. The lead ship is scheduled for delivery in 2029.

Australian officials have emphasized a “minimum-change” approach to reduce integration risks, although the RAN configuration will still incorporate Australian and US systems including ESSM Block 2, NSM and Mk 54 torpedoes.

Britain’s Type 31 remains a serious rival – Japan’s main competitor is the UK’s Type 31 frigate based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design. The design has already secured export orders from Poland and Indonesia and is scheduled to enter Royal Navy service in 2027, although the programme has experienced schedule delays.

Britain also retains advantages through longstanding institutional ties with New Zealand. The two countries cooperate closely within the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing framework, while the Royal Navy maintains a mature sustainment network.

Interoperability could decide the outcome – The decisive factor may not be which frigate is individually superior, but which ship New Zealand can operate alongside most effectively. Penk’s statement strongly hinted at this logic. He referred first to “the Japanese Mogami-class frigate selected by Australia” before mentioning the UK Type 31 and repeatedly emphasized interoperability and efficiency.

The current Anzac-class frigates themselves were jointly developed and procured by Australia and New Zealand. Shared logistics, training infrastructure, maintenance systems and spare parts arrangements became essential force multipliers for the smaller RNZN. If Wellington selects the New FFM, a modernized version of the “Anzac model” could emerge for the Indo-Pacific era, with shared supply chains, sensors, weapons and operational planning structures.

China’s growing maritime assertiveness also appears to be accelerating closer defence coordination among Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

In October 2025, RNZN Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding met then Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and conveyed Wellington’s interest in the New FFM, according to Japanese media reports.

Challenges nevertheless remain for Japan’s defence industry. Tokyo has limited experience exporting complex frontline surface combatants, and long-term sustainment and industrial participation packages remain relatively untested compared to established Western defence exporters. Ultimately, New Zealand’s frigate competition may become more than a procurement decision. It could serve as a test of whether Japan is prepared not only to build advanced warships, but also to sustain long-term strategic defence partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.

Team Maverick.