Australia has confirmed a major defense contract with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to supply eleven Mogami-class frigates to the Royal Australian Navy.
The A$10 billion (US $6.5 billion) agreement marks the largest defense industry partnership ever signed between the two countries.
The new warships are set to replace Australia’s ageing Anzac-class fleet.
The deal followed a competitive process in which Japan’s proposal prevailed over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
According to defense officials, Japan’s offer provided superior capabilities, affordability, and faster delivery.
The agreement includes the delivery of the first three frigates built in Japan by 2029.
The remaining eight ships will be constructed domestically at Austal’s shipyard in Western Australia.
This part of the plan is expected to strengthen Australia’s shipbuilding industry and create thousands of jobs.
Mogami-class frigates are advanced multi-role vessels with stealth features and long-range capability.
Each ship will carry 32 vertical launch cells capable of deploying long-range missiles, have a 10,000-nautical-mile operating range, and require fewer personnel to operate—around 90 crew members compared to 120 on existing ships.
This procurement is a key part of Australia’s broader naval expansion, which aims to double the surface combat fleet over the next decade under a A$55 billion plan.
The upgrade reflects a growing focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
For Japan, this contract is also a milestone. It represents the country’s most significant defense export since loosening restrictions on arms sales in 2014.
The deal strengthens strategic cooperation between the two nations amid evolving regional challenges.
Final contract arrangements will be completed in 2026, with full operational deployment of the new fleet expected by 2030.