Australia has formally signed contracts with Japan for the first three new general purpose frigates set to join the navy’s future fleet, confirming a major defence procurement that has been under negotiation for months.
The ships will be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries using an upgraded Mogami-class design and are scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy from 2029.
Under the agreement, the first three vessels will be constructed in Japan, with later ships expected to be built at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia once the site is consolidated.
The contract signing was marked by the signing of the Mogami Memorandum between Australia and Japan, formalising co-operation on the program and broader defence industry links.
The new ships are part of a long-term plan to expand the navy’s surface combatant fleet following an independent review that recommended rapidly acquiring 11 light frigates to replace ageing Anzac-class vessels and increase missile capacity.
The upgraded Mogami-class frigates are designed to travel up to 10,000 nautical miles and will be equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system, surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and the ability to operate the Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk maritime combat helicopter. Each ship will be crewed by 92 personnel.
Future construction in Western Australia is expected to form part of a broader pipeline of defence spending over the next two decades, with thousands of jobs forecast to be linked to naval shipbuilding in the state.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the acquisition formed part of broader defence planning.
“Acquiring upgraded-Mogami class frigates demonstrates the Albanese Government’s focus on investing in the capabilities we need to keep Australians safe,” Mr Marles said.
“Our surface fleet is more important than at any time in decades. These general purpose frigates will help secure our maritime trade routes and northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.”
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the contract was the “fastest acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy in peacetime”.
“We are working closely with Japanese and Australian industry partners as we acquire one of the most, if not the most, advanced general-purpose frigate in the world,” Mr Conroy said.
“We are delivering these commitments at pace, supporting and creating jobs for Australians, and deepening Australia’s industrial base.
The total cost of the full frigate program is expected to run into tens of billions of dollars over the coming decade, though the final figure remains unclear.
