Australia to Strengthen Navy with 11 Japanese-Built Mogami-Class Frigates in $6 Billion Deal

Canberra, Aug 6: In a significant step towards bolstering its naval power, Australia will procure 11 Mogami-class stealth frigates from Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced on Tuesday. The $6 billion (AUS$10 billion) agreement marks the largest defence industry partnership ever signed between Japan and Australia.

As part of a major military restructuring unveiled in 2023, Australia is shifting focus towards long-range strike capabilities to counter China’s growing maritime influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The country aims to expand its fleet of major warships from the current 11 to 26 over the next decade.

“This is clearly the biggest defence-industry agreement ever struck between Japan and Australia,” said Marles, emphasizing that the decision was based on securing the best capability for Australia. Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to supply the frigates, reflecting the deepening strategic alignment between Canberra and Tokyo.

The Mogami-class frigates are advanced next-generation stealth warships, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and an arsenal of long-range weaponry. Each vessel features 32 vertical launch cells capable of deploying long-range missiles, significantly enhancing Australia’s maritime strike reach. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy added that the ships would be capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, making the Royal Australian Navy “larger and more lethal.”

These frigates will gradually replace the ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class warship expected to be operational by 2030. The initial three ships will be constructed in Japan, while shipbuilding yards in Western Australia will handle the remaining production, providing a boost to the domestic defence industry.

Australia’s naval expansion complements its landmark AUKUS pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, under which Australia will acquire at least three US-designed Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines within 15 years. The AUKUS submarine program alone is projected to cost up to $235 billion over the next 30 years, a figure that has sparked domestic debate over its economic feasibility.

Historically, Australia’s major defence projects have faced challenges including cost overruns, policy reversals, and plans often prioritizing local job creation over strategic imperatives. Despite these hurdles, Australia plans to steadily increase its defence spending to 2.4% of GDP, exceeding NATO’s 2% benchmark, but still falling short of US expectations of 3.5%.

Australia inks $6B deal with Japan to buy 11 Mogami-class stealth frigates, boosting naval power amid China tensions. The frigates will replace Anzac-class ships by 2030. First 3 built in Japan, rest in WA. Defence spend to rise to 2.4% of GDP. #Australia #Defence #AUKUS #IndoPacific