Massive frigate buy from Japan jolts Australian warship program

Key Points:

• Australia and Japan have signed a deal under Project Sea 3000 for the Royal Australian Navy to acquire three upgraded Mogami-class frigates, marking Japan's largest-ever defense export and enhancing strategic ties between the two nations.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first three 4,800-ton frigates in Japan, with delivery starting by December 2029, followed by the construction of eight more frigates in Western Australia, with the total project cost expected to reach A$20 billion (US$14.4 billion) over the next decade.
• The upgraded Mogami-class frigates will replace Australia’s aging Anzac-class frigates, featuring advanced Japanese combat systems, sensors, and armaments including ESSM Block 2 missiles, Naval Strike Missiles, torpedoes, and SeaRAM, significantly boosting the Royal Australian Navy's capabilities.
• Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes emphasized that the focus is on enhanced capability rather than the number of ships, highlighting the Mogami as a "game-changer" with greater operational availability and automation, representing a generational leap in naval technology.
• Ultimately, Australia and Japan will operate a combined fleet of 35 Mogami frigates, reflecting a deepening defense partnership and a major investment in regional naval power.