Japan has received interest from New Zealand in the new upgraded version of the Mogami-class frigates, multifunction warships developed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
According to the website Naval News, Wellington is assessing the possibility of acquiring the vessels as part of a program to replace part of the current fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The interest was reportedly discussed during recent meetings between officials from the two countries.
“This could lead not only to better interoperability among the three countries, including the Australian Navy, but also to greater mutual complementarity. From the perspective of strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, this would be beneficial,” said Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara.
The updated version of the Mogami class, known in Japan as the “New FFM”, brings improvements over the original ships, including greater anti-air warfare capability, more advanced anti-submarine warfare systems, and better integration with drones and unmanned systems.
The ships, produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), were also designed to operate with reduced crews thanks to the high level of onboard automation. According to Japanese officials, this helps lower operating costs and reduces the need for large naval personnel numbers.
The Japanese government has been expanding efforts to export military equipment and strengthen defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. A possible sale to New Zealand would be considered an important step forward for Japan’s shipbuilding industry in the international market.
Photo: MHI. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
