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Japan wins US$6 billion deal to give Australia ‘a more lethal navy’
Australia’s deal for 11 new stealth frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries marks its ‘biggest-ever’ defence agreement with Japan
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Australia would be upgrading its navy with 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday.
Billed as Japan’s biggest defence export deal since World War II, Australia will pay A$10 billion (US$6 billion) over the next 10 years to acquire the fleet of stealth frigates.
Australia is in the midst of a major military restructure, bolstering its navy with long-range firepower in an effort to deter China. It is striving to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next decade.
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“This is clearly the biggest defence-industry agreement that has ever been struck between Japan and Australia,” Marles said, touting the deal. “This decision was made based on what was the best capability for Australia. We do have a very close strategic alignment with Japan.”
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was awarded the tender over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates equipped with a potent array of weapons. Marles said they would replace Australia’s ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class ship to be on the water by 2030.
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