Australia to prioritize Japan as frigate development partner
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said at a press conference that Japan's Mogami-class vessels are the "preferred platform" for building general-purpose frigates for his country's navy.
With Canberra replacing its aging Anzac-class vessels and planning to build 11 frigates, Japan had been competing with Germany as a partner for Australia's frigate development.
In a press release, the Australian government said the Mogami-class frigates were "assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defense Force."
Japan has touted its Mogami-class frigates, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and used by the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, as stealth vessels that require fewer crew members to operate.
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