Australia Awards $10B Navy Frigate Contract to Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy

Australia has awarded a A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) contract to Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build 11 advanced Mogami-class frigates, marking the largest defense procurement between the two countries. These stealth frigates, selected over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp MEKO A-200, will replace Australia’s aging Anzac-class vessels and enhance the navy’s capabilities with long-range strike potential, including 32 vertical launch cells for missiles such as Tomahawk cruise missiles. The upgraded Mogami frigates offer a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, significantly exceeding the current 6,000 nautical mile range of Anzac-class ships, and operate with smaller crews. The first three frigates will be constructed in Japan, with the remainder built in Western Australia, supporting both maritime trade route security and defense cooperation with Japan and the United States. This contract follows Australia’s 2023 agreement to develop nuclear-powered submarines with the U.S. and Britain, signaling a major strategic shift toward enhanced long-range naval capabilities. Australian officials emphasized the deal’s importance in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing naval interoperability with key allies.