Japanese Mogami-class frigate docks in Darwin amid push for $10bn Australian defence contract

Australia Broadcast Center

5 hours ago

A state-of-the-art Japanese warship has played host to government and arms industry figures in Darwin, as Japan looks to win a secretive Australian government contract to replace the navy's aging Anzac-class frigates.
The JS Yahagi docked in Darwin last week as part of a Japanese maritime defence force tour of the Indo-Pacific, which includes joint-force exercises in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and defence industry exhibitions in Singapore and Malaysia.
The Japanese government, and the ship's manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), are in competition with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for a $10 billion contract with the Australian government, known as SEA3000.
The contract will secure 11 new ships to replace the Royal Australian Navy's eight Anzac-class frigates, the first of which was decommissioned in February 2024 after nearly 30 years in operation.
The two companies have been strictly prohibited from discussing details of their bids for the SEA3000 contract, under threat of criminal prosecution.
Japan has invested heavily into its bid, including by guaranteeing priority to Australia for its upgraded Mogami warships over its own navy.
In February, it also announced the expansion of Japanese ship-builder MHI's presence in Canberra.
The vessel's commanding officer, Tamura Masayoshi, would not comment on how the current Mogami-class ship compared to the Anzac-class frigates, only that it was "newer".
"The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force thought we need stealth, and less people, and a little bit smaller ship," he said.
Commanding Officer Masayoshi said the ship's most unique feature was its circular control room deep in the ship's hull, fitted with a panoramic screen that can be programmed to display a 360-degree view of the ship's exterior, and live feeds of the ship's various functions.
"We can arrange any information in any areas, and all the information [is] gathered in this command information centre … and that makes a commanding officer's decision making [much] easier," he said.
The Australian government expects either Germany or Japan to deliver the first three of its new frigates in 2029, with the remaining eight to be built at Western Australia's Henderson shipyards in the 2030s.
Marcus Hellyer from Strategic Analysis Australia said Germany had an advantage over Japan through its track record of overseas production.
"They have a very long, successful track record of building military equipment overseas, and that's something that the Japanese [are] yet to demonstrate," he said.
Dr Hellyer said the JS Yahagi's visit to Australia was as much about military operations as it was about strengthening Japan's bid for the SEA3000 contract.
"They can be exercising with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), deepening that relationship, but also showcasing the frigate, showing off its capabilities, and giving the ADF a good opportunity to see what they would be buying," he said.
Dr Hellyer said a deepening of Australia's military ties with Japan may factor into the bid's awarding, but that the Commonwealth had not made clear whether its priorities were strategic or technical.
"The buzz I guess around Canberra at the moment is that the Japanese are the favourites, but I would say it's still an open competition and I certainly wouldn't rule the Germans out," he said.
"Yes the strategic relationship is important, but we do need make sure we pick a good ship, but we also need to make sure that it is a ship that we can build on schedule, on budget, here in Australia."
The Commonwealth's decision on the SEA3000 contract is expected by the end of this year.