Australia, Japan ink $10 billion frigate warship deal

Australia and Japan have formalised a major defence agreement to supply the Royal Australian Navy with a fleet of Japanese-designed warships, marking one of the most significant bilateral security deals between the two countries in recent years.

Under the A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) programme, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will construct the first three Mogami-class frigates in Japan, with delivery expected within three years, Caliber.Az reports via Japanese media.

A further eight vessels will be built in Australia at a shipyard in Western Australia, deepening local industrial participation.

The agreement was signed on Saturday aboard the JS Kumano, a Mogami-class frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force JS Kumano, docked in Melbourne following participation in Exercise Kakadu, Australia’s multinational maritime drills.

The programme will replace Australia’s ageing ANZAC-class frigates and is aimed at strengthening its surface combat capability amid concerns over modern missile and drone threats. The new ships are expected to be operated by around 92 personnel each, significantly reducing crew requirements.

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles, speaking at the signing ceremony, said:
“The timeframe that we’ve announced is the fastest acquisition of a surface combatant into service in the Royal Australian Navy ever,” Marles told reporters.

He added: “Japan is an industrial powerhouse, and it offers so much opportunity for Australia and the development of our own defence industry as the Mogami project represents,” Marles said.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the agreement marked a step change in bilateral defence ties, noting Japan’s growing security role alongside its closest partner, the United States. He said:
“Japan continued to be Australia’s “indispensable partner” in a new Australian defence strategy announced this week, in which A$53 billion ($38 million) will be added to the defence budget over a decade.”

Koizumi also highlighted the operational efficiency of the vessels, saying:
“a decisive factor” in Australia choosing the Japanese frigate was that it could be operated with just 90 personnel, around half the crew of Australia's current ANZAC-class version.

The ships are expected to be equipped with surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles and capable of operating combat helicopters, reflecting Australia’s push to modernise its naval forces under its broader defence expansion strategy.

By Aghakazim Guliyev