Australia has announced the purchase of eleven Mogami-class frigates, of Japanese origin, as part of the modernization of its naval fleet.
The model, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was chosen after a bidding process and stood out for better meeting the strategic and operational criteria of the Australian Armed Forces. The new vessels feature a vertical launch system with 32 cells, a range of 10,000 nautical miles, and armament consisting of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles.
The frigates will replace the older Anzac-class ships and bring significant improvements in air defense and anti-submarine warfare. Three ships will be built in Japan, with delivery expected by 2029 and entry into service the following year. The remaining units will be produced in a shipyard in Western Australia. According to the government, the new platform will allow for a fourfold increase in missile launch capability compared to the current fleet.
The project is part of a broader plan to expand Australia’s naval force, which includes an investment of 55 billion dollars over the next decade and a doubling of the number of surface combatants.
The government also confirmed that it will begin negotiations with Japan to formalize contracts by 2026, although it acknowledged the quality of the competing proposal from the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @DefenceAust | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Meet Mogami ⚓🇯🇵
Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate has been selected as the preferred platform for the @Australian_Navy’s general purpose frigates.
Defence will now enter into the next stage of the procurement process with MHI and Japan.
The upgraded Mogami can be… pic.twitter.com/wL9K4QcWNB
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) August 5, 2025
