Australia Confirms Massive Frigate Deal with Japan

Australia has chosen Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to construct frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in a major $6.5 billion deal.

Mitsubishi will begin supplying Australia with Mogami-class frigates in 2029, when the first three ships are expected to arrive. The Mogami-class frigate is a stealth frigate produced solely by Mitsubishi, as it has been developed exclusively for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) over the past few years. The frigate has a range of around 10,000 nautical miles and has the ability to launch long range missiles, but its lower operating costs are what made it stand out to the Australian government.

Australia chose the Mogami-class frigates over German manufacturing company ThyssenKrupp's MEKO A-200. Experts have pointed out that the Japanese deal was more expensive, but the frigates have more bang for their buck. The Mogami allows the RAN to defend against submarines, air attacks, and other ships using its long range missiles, and the frigate is one of the most technologically advanced of today's day and age. Additionally, the Mogami has 32 vertical launch systems (VLS), which is double that of the A-200, which requires a crew of 120 people compared to the Mogami's 90.

The first three frigates will be built in Japan and will arrive in Australia in 2029, but the remaining eight ships will be built in Western Australia by local shipbuilding company Austal. In fact, Japan has confirmed that the first frigates will be sent to Australia before their own navy receives them. Australia plans to deploy the ships into waters crucial to their trade industry, as well as areas near the country that have seen an increase in Chinese presence.

Meanwhile, the deal is Japan's largest-ever military deal with another country, which is a huge success for their manufacturing industry. Some of Japan's largest companies are automakers like Toyota and Nissan, and Trump's 25% tariff on all foreign automobiles has dealt a significant blow to their manufacturing industry. As they face a 15% tariff from the US on top of that, Japan has been searching for other trade partners to strike deals with, and this new agreement is expected to bring Japan and Australia closer together-- from both an economic and military perspective.

However, the contract has not been finalized just yet. While the two countries have made a mutual agreement to go through with the deal, the exact specifics are still being fine-tuned. The total cost is expected to be around A$10 billion, or $6.5 billion, but the contract is not expected to be finalized until later this year or sometime in 2026.

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