Latest news with #Anzac-class
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Hunter could be service hub for nation's new multi-billion-dollar frigate fleet
Newcastle is being considered as the maintenance destination for the nation's new multi-billion-dollar fleet of frigates. Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build 11 new warships for the Australian navy and the company is searching for an east coast facility to maintain the fleet once up and running. Hunter Defence Industry Task Force chair Tim Owen said a delegation of Mitsubishi and Japanese government officials would visit later this month to inspect the region's facilities and attend the Hunter Defence Conference. "They're looking very, very closely at the Hunter," Mr Owen said. "They're very excited about the maritime capabilities we have in the region - companies like Civmec, UGL, Thales and Varley." The $10-billion contract for the fleet of Mogami-class frigates is expected to support 10,000 jobs domestically, most of which will be based in Western Australia. However, Defence Industries Minister and Shortland MP Pat Conroy was excited at the region's chance to cash in on the economic boost. "It's not just for upgrading and repairing our frigates ... there will be 35 Mogami-class frigates, 11 already exist, another 13 for the Japanese and another 11 for us," Mr Conroy said. "There will be opportunities for Australian companies to produce parts, not just for our ships, but for Japanese ships. "One day we might see a Japanese Mogami-class frigate from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force docking in Australia to be repaired and upgraded." The fleet of Mogami-class frigates will replace the ageing Anzac-class ships, which are regarded as the workhorse vessels of the Australian navy. Mr Owen said a Hunter maintenance facility for the frigate fleet would work hand-in-hand with the $850-million Kongsberg missile factory under construction at Williamstown. "That would mean the missiles would be very likely to come out of Australia rather than Norway, whether that's for organic Australian navy capability or from an export perspective into Japan," he said. Mr Conroy also announced $2.95 million for a Newcastle-based company, which will be used to create battery-powered remote-controlled trailers for the defence and mining industries. 3ME Technology chief executive Justin Bain said the self-propelled trailer could be used to carry extremely heavy loads and in the future would be autonomous. "There are huge applications, every day we're thinking of more and more," Mr Bain said. The trailers also contain a one-megawatt battery, "effectively providing a mobile power plant". Mr Conroy said Defence was interested in the technology due to the changing nature of warfare. "One of the lessons from the Ukraine conflict is you don't want humans exposed on the battlefield with the prevalence of drones," Mr Conroy said. "The more we can keep humans away from the front line the better. These trailers mean we can transport defence capabilities in 20-foot containers without having a human anywhere near the zone." The grant will fund the construction of four trailers - two for mining and two for defence - which is hoped will be the bedrock of a future industry. Newcastle is being considered as the maintenance destination for the nation's new multi-billion-dollar fleet of frigates. Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build 11 new warships for the Australian navy and the company is searching for an east coast facility to maintain the fleet once up and running. Hunter Defence Industry Task Force chair Tim Owen said a delegation of Mitsubishi and Japanese government officials would visit later this month to inspect the region's facilities and attend the Hunter Defence Conference. "They're looking very, very closely at the Hunter," Mr Owen said. "They're very excited about the maritime capabilities we have in the region - companies like Civmec, UGL, Thales and Varley." The $10-billion contract for the fleet of Mogami-class frigates is expected to support 10,000 jobs domestically, most of which will be based in Western Australia. However, Defence Industries Minister and Shortland MP Pat Conroy was excited at the region's chance to cash in on the economic boost. "It's not just for upgrading and repairing our frigates ... there will be 35 Mogami-class frigates, 11 already exist, another 13 for the Japanese and another 11 for us," Mr Conroy said. "There will be opportunities for Australian companies to produce parts, not just for our ships, but for Japanese ships. "One day we might see a Japanese Mogami-class frigate from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force docking in Australia to be repaired and upgraded." The fleet of Mogami-class frigates will replace the ageing Anzac-class ships, which are regarded as the workhorse vessels of the Australian navy. Mr Owen said a Hunter maintenance facility for the frigate fleet would work hand-in-hand with the $850-million Kongsberg missile factory under construction at Williamstown. "That would mean the missiles would be very likely to come out of Australia rather than Norway, whether that's for organic Australian navy capability or from an export perspective into Japan," he said. Mr Conroy also announced $2.95 million for a Newcastle-based company, which will be used to create battery-powered remote-controlled trailers for the defence and mining industries. 3ME Technology chief executive Justin Bain said the self-propelled trailer could be used to carry extremely heavy loads and in the future would be autonomous. "There are huge applications, every day we're thinking of more and more," Mr Bain said. The trailers also contain a one-megawatt battery, "effectively providing a mobile power plant". Mr Conroy said Defence was interested in the technology due to the changing nature of warfare. "One of the lessons from the Ukraine conflict is you don't want humans exposed on the battlefield with the prevalence of drones," Mr Conroy said. "The more we can keep humans away from the front line the better. These trailers mean we can transport defence capabilities in 20-foot containers without having a human anywhere near the zone." The grant will fund the construction of four trailers - two for mining and two for defence - which is hoped will be the bedrock of a future industry. Newcastle is being considered as the maintenance destination for the nation's new multi-billion-dollar fleet of frigates. Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build 11 new warships for the Australian navy and the company is searching for an east coast facility to maintain the fleet once up and running. Hunter Defence Industry Task Force chair Tim Owen said a delegation of Mitsubishi and Japanese government officials would visit later this month to inspect the region's facilities and attend the Hunter Defence Conference. "They're looking very, very closely at the Hunter," Mr Owen said. "They're very excited about the maritime capabilities we have in the region - companies like Civmec, UGL, Thales and Varley." The $10-billion contract for the fleet of Mogami-class frigates is expected to support 10,000 jobs domestically, most of which will be based in Western Australia. However, Defence Industries Minister and Shortland MP Pat Conroy was excited at the region's chance to cash in on the economic boost. "It's not just for upgrading and repairing our frigates ... there will be 35 Mogami-class frigates, 11 already exist, another 13 for the Japanese and another 11 for us," Mr Conroy said. "There will be opportunities for Australian companies to produce parts, not just for our ships, but for Japanese ships. "One day we might see a Japanese Mogami-class frigate from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force docking in Australia to be repaired and upgraded." The fleet of Mogami-class frigates will replace the ageing Anzac-class ships, which are regarded as the workhorse vessels of the Australian navy. Mr Owen said a Hunter maintenance facility for the frigate fleet would work hand-in-hand with the $850-million Kongsberg missile factory under construction at Williamstown. "That would mean the missiles would be very likely to come out of Australia rather than Norway, whether that's for organic Australian navy capability or from an export perspective into Japan," he said. Mr Conroy also announced $2.95 million for a Newcastle-based company, which will be used to create battery-powered remote-controlled trailers for the defence and mining industries. 3ME Technology chief executive Justin Bain said the self-propelled trailer could be used to carry extremely heavy loads and in the future would be autonomous. "There are huge applications, every day we're thinking of more and more," Mr Bain said. The trailers also contain a one-megawatt battery, "effectively providing a mobile power plant". Mr Conroy said Defence was interested in the technology due to the changing nature of warfare. "One of the lessons from the Ukraine conflict is you don't want humans exposed on the battlefield with the prevalence of drones," Mr Conroy said. "The more we can keep humans away from the front line the better. These trailers mean we can transport defence capabilities in 20-foot containers without having a human anywhere near the zone." The grant will fund the construction of four trailers - two for mining and two for defence - which is hoped will be the bedrock of a future industry. Newcastle is being considered as the maintenance destination for the nation's new multi-billion-dollar fleet of frigates. Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build 11 new warships for the Australian navy and the company is searching for an east coast facility to maintain the fleet once up and running. Hunter Defence Industry Task Force chair Tim Owen said a delegation of Mitsubishi and Japanese government officials would visit later this month to inspect the region's facilities and attend the Hunter Defence Conference. "They're looking very, very closely at the Hunter," Mr Owen said. "They're very excited about the maritime capabilities we have in the region - companies like Civmec, UGL, Thales and Varley." The $10-billion contract for the fleet of Mogami-class frigates is expected to support 10,000 jobs domestically, most of which will be based in Western Australia. However, Defence Industries Minister and Shortland MP Pat Conroy was excited at the region's chance to cash in on the economic boost. "It's not just for upgrading and repairing our frigates ... there will be 35 Mogami-class frigates, 11 already exist, another 13 for the Japanese and another 11 for us," Mr Conroy said. "There will be opportunities for Australian companies to produce parts, not just for our ships, but for Japanese ships. "One day we might see a Japanese Mogami-class frigate from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force docking in Australia to be repaired and upgraded." The fleet of Mogami-class frigates will replace the ageing Anzac-class ships, which are regarded as the workhorse vessels of the Australian navy. Mr Owen said a Hunter maintenance facility for the frigate fleet would work hand-in-hand with the $850-million Kongsberg missile factory under construction at Williamstown. "That would mean the missiles would be very likely to come out of Australia rather than Norway, whether that's for organic Australian navy capability or from an export perspective into Japan," he said. Mr Conroy also announced $2.95 million for a Newcastle-based company, which will be used to create battery-powered remote-controlled trailers for the defence and mining industries. 3ME Technology chief executive Justin Bain said the self-propelled trailer could be used to carry extremely heavy loads and in the future would be autonomous. "There are huge applications, every day we're thinking of more and more," Mr Bain said. The trailers also contain a one-megawatt battery, "effectively providing a mobile power plant". Mr Conroy said Defence was interested in the technology due to the changing nature of warfare. "One of the lessons from the Ukraine conflict is you don't want humans exposed on the battlefield with the prevalence of drones," Mr Conroy said. "The more we can keep humans away from the front line the better. These trailers mean we can transport defence capabilities in 20-foot containers without having a human anywhere near the zone." The grant will fund the construction of four trailers - two for mining and two for defence - which is hoped will be the bedrock of a future industry.
UPI
5 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Mitsubishi Heavy to build new Australian naval fleet
Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build Mogami-class frigates, like the one pictured here, for Australia's naval fleet. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group announced Tuesday that the Australian government has chosen it to build a new fleet of warships for the nation's navy. The Japanese shipbuilder said in a press release that Australia selected the upgraded version of Mitsubishi's 4,800-ton type Mogami-class frigate for its new general-purpose frigates. "We believe that the decision made by the Australian government is based on its evaluation of our frigate's proven performance, reliability, technology, and capabilities, multi-functionality suitable for various roles including anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, and anti-surface warfare, as well as reduced manpower requirements compared to conventional frigates, and scalability to easily enhance capabilities in the future," Mitsubishi said. The first three frigates are slated to be built in Japan, under a contract worth more than $6.4 billion, but the rest of the 11-vessel order is expected to be constructed in Australia. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said during a press conference that the Mogami-class frigate was chosen due to its stealth capabilities and can operate with nearly half the crew currently aboard the Australian Navy's Anzac-class frigates, which have been in use since the end of World War II. "It's all part of our $55 billion investment in the Navy's surface combatant fleet," Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy posted to X Tuesday. "And it means tens of thousands of well-paid, highly skilled jobs here at home." "It's a decision months ahead of schedule, and a decision that means our first frigate will be delivered in 2029," Conroy also posted.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Australia to buy 11 advanced warships from Japan
Australia will upgrade its navy with 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday (August 5, 2025). Billed as one of Japan's biggest defence export deals since World War II, Australia will pay U.S.$6 billion (Aus$10 billion) over the next 10 years to acquire the fleet of stealth frigates. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructure, bolstering its navy with long-range firepower in an effort to deter China. It is striving to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next decade. 'This is clearly the biggest defence-industry agreement that has ever been struck between Japan and Australia,' Mr. Marles said, touting the deal. 'This decision was made based on what was the best capability for Australia,' he added. 'We do have a very close strategic alignment with Japan,' he said. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was awarded the tender over Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates equipped with a potent array of weapons. Mr. Marles said they would replace Australia's ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class ship to be on the water by 2030. 'The Mogami-class frigate is the best frigate for Australia,' said Mr. Marles. 'It is a next-generation vessel. It is stealthy. It has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long-range missiles,' he added. The deal further cements a burgeoning security partnership between Australia and Japan. Japan is deepening cooperation with U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region that, like Tokyo, are involved in territorial disputes with China. Both Japan and Australia are members of the 'Quad' group alongside India and the United States. Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tuesday (August 5, 2025) the deal was 'proof of trust in our nation's high-level technology and the importance of interoperability between Japan's self-defence forces and the Australian military.' It was also a 'big step toward elevating the national security cooperation with Australia, which is our special strategic partner', Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo. 'More lethal' Japan's pacifist constitution restricts it from exporting weapons – but Tokyo has in recent years loosened arms export controls to boost sales abroad. 'This is Japan's largest defence export deal since 1945 with a non-U.S. partner,' said Yee Kuang Heng from the University of Tokyo's Security Studies Unit. 'And only the second since Tokyo loosened its guidelines on defence exports in 2014, which led to exports of air surveillance radar to the Philippines,' he said. Mr. Heng said the deal was a 'massive shot in the arm' for Japan as it sought to strengthen its defence manufacturing industry. Australian defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the Mogami-class frigates were capable of launching long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. 'The acquisition of these stealth frigates will make our navy a bigger navy, and a more lethal navy,' he said. 'The first three Mogami-class frigates will be built overseas,' Mr. Conroy said, with shipbuilding yards in Western Australia expected to produce the rest. Australia announced a deal to acquire U.S.-designed nuclear-powered submarines in 2021, scrapping a years-long plan to develop non-nuclear subs from France. Under the tripartite AUK-U.S. pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, the Australian navy plans to acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines within 15 years. The AUK-U.S. submarine programme alone could cost the country up to U.S.$235 billion over the next 30 years, according to Australian government forecasts, a price tag that has stoked criticism. Major defence projects in Australia have long suffered from cost overruns, government U-turns, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for local job creation than defence. Australia plans to gradually increase its defence spending to 2.4% of gross domestic product – above the 2% target set by its NATO allies, but well short of U.S. demands for 3.5%.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Japan's new stealth warship just won over a big buyer, in a historic first for its post-WWII weapons industry
Japan's new stealth frigate has officially won a buyer, marking a new step for the country as it clinches its first warship export deal. Australia announced on Tuesday that it is buying 11 of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' 5,500-ton Mogami-class frigates. "This is clearly the biggest defence industry agreement that will ever have been struck between Japan and Australia. In fact, it's really one of the biggest defence exports that Japan has ever engaged in," Richard Marles, Australia's defense minister, said in a statement at the country's parliament. Canberra is expected to pay $6.5 billion for the entire fleet, with three vessels to be built in Japan and the remaining eight to be built later at a port in Western Australia. The Japanese warship is replacing Australia's older fleet of Anzac-class frigates, which are gradually being decommissioned as each hits about 30 years of service. The Mogami sale is a breakthrough for Japan's weapons export industry, which Tokyo is trying to grow after lifting a decadeslong self-imposed ban on foreign arms sales. Japan adopted the ban in the aftermath of World War II as a way of renouncing war, progressively restricting itself until it outright blocked all weapon exports. However, in 2014, then-prime minister Shinzo Abe partially lifted the measure to allow for limited exports and weapons development with friendly countries. Six years later, Japan sold the Philippines $100 million worth of air surveillance radar systems. Then, in 2023, Japan revised its policy to allow its companies to sell lethal weapons to partner nations — a response to growing cooperation between its rivals, North Korea and China. With the Mogami confirmed to have won the Australian bid, the Japanese warship beat out competing vessels from Germany, Spain, and South Korea. The 427-foot Mogami frigates are some of the world's newest warships. Built in 2019, the first of these vessels only entered service in Japan in 2022. The vessels are armed with two Type 17 anti-ship cruise missile launchers, a 16-cell vertical launch system, two .50 caliber machine gun turrets, two Type 12 torpedo tubes, a five-inch main gun, and space at the rear for a Seahawk helicopter or drones. An upgraded version of the ship boasts a 32-cell vertical launch system instead, but it's unclear if Australia will be acquiring this model. A key selling point of the Mogami is that many of its functions, such as navigation and weapons handling, are automated. This allows it to be run by a smaller crew of about 90 people. By comparison, some warships of its size may require crews of up to 200. Japan and Australia have been steadily deepening their military ties in the last few years, especially in light of China's growing might. They're one half of the Quad, a four-nation group with India and the US that was created as a counterbalance to Beijing in the Indo-Pacific. The Mogami sale comes after Australia has been searching since last February for an interim warship program while waiting for six locally built Hunter-class heavy frigates. The first of these local ships is due in 2034.
Int'l Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Australia To Buy 11 Advanced Warships From Japan
Australia will upgrade its navy with 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructuring announced in 2023, turning towards long-range strike capabilities to better respond to China's naval might. It is striving to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next 10 years. "This is clearly the biggest defence-industry agreement that has ever been struck between Japan and Australia," Marles said, touting the US$6 billion (Aus$10 billion) deal. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was awarded the tender over Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. "This decision was made based on what was the best capability for Australia," Marles said. "We do have a very close strategic alignment with Japan." Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates equipped with a potent array of weapons. Marles said they would replace Australia's ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class ship to be in service by 2030. "The Mogami-class frigate is the best frigate for Australia," said Marles. "It is a next-generation vessel. It is stealthy. It has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long-range missiles." Defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the frigates were capable of launching long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. "The acquisition of these stealth frigates will make our navy a bigger navy, and a more lethal navy," he said. The first three Mogami-class frigates will be built overseas, Conroy said, with shipbuilding yards in Western Australia expected to produce the rest. Australia announced a deal to acquire US-designed nuclear-powered submarines in 2021, scrapping a years-long plan to develop non-nuclear subs from France. Under the tripartite AUKUS pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, the Australian navy plans to acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines within 15 years. The AUKUS submarine programme alone could cost the country up to US$235 billion over the next 30 years, according to Australian government forecasts, a price tag that has stoked criticism of the strategy. Major defence projects in Australia have long suffered from cost overruns, government U-turns, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for local job creation than defence. Australia plans to gradually increase its defence spending to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product -- above the two percent target set by its NATO allies, but well short of US demands for 3.5 percent. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructuring and plans to replace its ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels AFP Infographic showing a US Virginia-class nuclear submarine, plus a delivery schedule to Australia under the 2021 AUKUS agreement AFP
