Australia picks Japanese frigate design for new navy fleet

The Australian Government is accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet with the selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general-purpose frigates. 

As informed, following the selection process,  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Defence will now proceed with the next stage of the procurement process with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the aim of entering early into binding, commercial contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the government of Japan in 2026.

The government’s response to the Independent Analysis of the navy’s surface combatant fleet outlined that the first three general-purpose frigates would be built offshore. This accelerated program will see the first three frigates built in Japan, with the first scheduled to be delivered to Australia in 2029 and operational in 2030. 

The upgraded Mogami-class frigates will boast a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32-cell vertical launch system, and will be fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles.

MHI recently held a launching and naming ceremony for the eleventh Mogami-class frigate built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Over the next two decades, tens of billions of dollars will be invested in defence capabilities in the West. This forms part of the Albanese Government’s $55 billion investment over the decade for the 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 defense.

“The upgraded Mogami-class frigate will help secure our maritime trade routes and our northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal naval surface combatant fleet,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

“The upgraded Mogami‑class frigate is the best option for our Navy, boosting its capability to put to sea. 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,” Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy added.