Australia Selects Japanese Mogami Frigates in $10B Naval Upgrade

Australia has selected Japan's upgraded Mogami-class frigate, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as the preferred platform for its Royal Australian Navy's general-purpose frigate program, SEA 3000, in a deal valued at approximately AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion). The program includes building three frigates in Japan and eight in Australia, marking the largest naval surface fleet procurement since the Hunter-class program and representing Japan's first major defense export. The Mogami-class frigates, which will replace the aging Anzac-class vessels, feature advanced stealth capabilities, a 32-cell vertical launch system capable of firing long-range missiles including Tomahawk cruise missiles, and significantly enhanced air-defense missile capacity. This selection followed a competitive process involving designs from Germany, South Korea, and Spain, with the Japanese design favored for rapid capability delivery, strategic compatibility with Australian and U.S. naval systems, and a strong industrial cooperation package including technology transfer. The first ship is expected to enter service by 2030, with subsequent vessels built in Western Australia, reflecting the closely aligned strategic partnership between Australia and Japan amid Australia's broader military modernization efforts focused on countering regional threats. Australian officials emphasized that the Mogami-class frigates will significantly enhance the navy's lethality and operational reach in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific security environment.