Australia signs for first three Mogami-class frigates

Defence has signed contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for Australia’s first three Japanese general purpose Mogami-class frigates. The ships will be of the upgraded Mogami class design, with the first scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2029. The contracts were signed aboard the Japanese Ship (JS) Kumano at Port Melbourne.

The value of the contract for this first three ships hasn’t been disclosed as yet, but the total 11 ship program is said by Defence to be worth some $20 billion.

The Australian Government is working closely with the Japanese Government and industry with future ships to be constructed in Western Australia, says Defence, subject to consolidation of the Henderson Defence Precinct, in line with the Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding.

Defence says it is also working with Japanese industry and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to develop an initial capability to sustain and operate the ships in Australia, supported by Australian industry and workers.

“This is the fastest acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy in peacetime,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry. “We are working closely with Japanese and Australian industry partners as we acquire one of the most, if not the most, advanced general-purpose frigate in the world.

“We are delivering these commitments at pace, supporting and creating jobs for Australians, and deepening Australia’s industrial base. The first three frigates will be built offshore in Japan. We will then transition to an onshore build in line with the Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and a future made in Australia.”

The upgraded Mogami-class frigate has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles and a 32-cell Vertical Launch System. It will be equipped with surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, crewed by 92 RAN officers and men sailors and capable of operating the RAN’s MH-60R Seahawk maritime combat helicopter. Some 23 Royal Australian Navy personnel trained with the JMSDF aboard the JS Kumano during its transit to Australia for Exercise Kakadu.

The decision to acquire these ships accords with the Government’s commitment to more than double the size of Navy’s surface combatant fleet, following the 2024 independent analysis of Navy’s surface combatant fleet, says Defence. In the 2026 Integrated Investment Program released this week, the Government committed to the investment of up to $20 billion over the decade into these ships.

The contract-signing was marked by the Deputy Prime Minister and his counterpart, the Japanese Minister of Defense, Koizumi Shinjirō signing the ‘Mogami Memorandum’, reaffirming the Australian and Japanese Governments’ shared commitment to the successful delivery of Australia’s general-purpose frigates and deeper defence industry cooperation.