Overview
- Australia and Japan, which signed contracts Saturday in Melbourne, formally launched a program to deliver new Royal Australian Navy frigates.
- The package totals A$10 billion over 10 years, which Australia’s defense industry minister called the navy’s fastest peacetime acquisition.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first three upgraded Mogami-class frigates in Japan from 2029 before an onshore build of eight more at Henderson near Perth.
- The frigates are stealthy multi‑role ships designed for anti‑submarine warfare, strikes on surface ships, and air defense to help guard sea lanes and Australia’s northern approaches.
- Canberra framed the purchase as part of a broader buildup to deter China as Japan deepens security ties with U.S. allies after easing post‑war export limits.