A $10 BILLION contract has been awarded to Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for up to 11 upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigates for the Australian Navy.
It is understood, the first three frigates will probably be built in Japan with the remaining eight built at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, where the government has a strategic partnership with Austal Limited.
The Commonwealth has committed $127 million over three years to establish a defence precinct at Henderson with construction of the frigates there expected to begin after 2026.
In a media release on 5 August the government said the Mogami-class frigate had been assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“The upgraded Mogami-class frigate boasts a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32 Cell Vertical Launch System, and is fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles,” the statement said.
The decision to buy the Japanese frigates rather than the alternative MEKO A-200 from Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposal comes months ahead of schedule and reflects the growing strategic ties between Australia and Japan.
Defence aims to sign binding commercial contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the government of Japan in 2026.
“The government’s response to the Independent Analysis of Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet outlined that the first three general purpose frigates would be built offshore,” the statement said.
The accelerated program should see the first frigate delivered to Australia in 2029 and operational in 2030.
“Successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct in Western Australia will enable the remainder of the build to be constructed locally, in line with the Albanese Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding.
“Over the next two decades, tens of billions of dollars will be invested in defence capabilities in the West, supporting in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled jobs.”
It is part of a $55 billion investment over the decade for Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Australia’s new general-purpose frigates will replace the Anzac-class frigates and will be equipped for undersea warfare and air defence.
Alongside the Hunter-class frigates and the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and advanced missile investments, the general-purpose frigates will be part of the government’s plan to more than double the size of Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said the upgraded Mogami-class frigate will help secure Australia’s maritime trade routes and our northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal naval surface combatant fleet.
Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said the addition of the frigates would reassure Australian allies and deter adversaries.
“The upgraded Mogami‑class frigate is the best option for our Navy, boosting its capability to put to sea,” Mr Conroy said.
“It will take our general-purpose frigates from being able to fire 32 air defence missiles to 128 missiles, giving our sailors the cutting‑edge weapons and combat systems they need to prevail in an increasingly complex environment.”