Latest news with #Mogami-class
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Australia's purchase of Japanese frigates signals a new era for Indo-Pacific security
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Mogami, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), is a stealth frigate boasting both offensive and defensive capabilities. – Japan's landmark multibillion-dollar sale of 11 upgraded Mogami-class destroyers to the Royal Australian Navy marks a pivotal moment for the country's burgeoning arms export industry. Tokyo clinched the A$10 billion (S$8.36 billion) contract, announced by Canberra on Aug 5, over more seasoned competition from Germany, Spain and South Korea – all major military shipbuilders. Japan will deliver the first vessel in 2029.
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Japan Secures Landmark Frigate Deal with Australia in Export Breakthrough
In a landmark deal with Japan, the Australian government announced on July 5 that it had selected a Japanese-designed frigate for its navy's next-generation warship program. Worth up to $10 billion AUD (about $6.5 billion USD), the contract marks Japan's largest defense export to date and a strategic breakthrough in its bid to become a key player in the global arms market. Australia plans to procure 11 of the new frigates, based on an upgraded version of the Japanese Mogami-class vessel currently in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The first three ships will be constructed in Japan, with the remainder built domestically in Australia. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029, with final contracts to be signed early next year. The decision was initially conveyed on Monday evening (July 4) during a video conference between Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles. Marles praised the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Mogami-class as "absolutely the best ship" for Australia's needs. The frigate's stealth capabilities and operational efficiency, which require fewer crew members, reportedly gave Japan the edge over its German competitor. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (right) meets with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on the sidelines of a defense forum in Singapore. (©Sankei by Shusuke Takenouchi) Experts say using the same vessel type also allows for greater interoperability through shared maintenance hubs amid a rapidly evolving maritime environment. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed the announcement, calling it "a milestone for Japan's defense industry" on his X account and pledging full government and industry cooperation in the run-up to the formal signing. For Tokyo, the victory is especially sweet — and hard-won. In 2016, Japan suffered a high-profile defeat in a similar Australian tender when its Soryu-class submarine lost out to a French proposal. That failure, along with other missed export opportunities, including the US-2 amphibious aircraft to India and the P-1 patrol aircraft to the United Kingdom, had cemented Japan's reputation as a technologically advanced but commercially clumsy arms supplier. Defense ministers from Japan, the US, Australia, and the Philippines attend the meeting. May 31, Singapore (©Sankei by Shusuke Takenouchi) This time, Tokyo took a radically different approach. In late 2024, the government established a joint public-private task force to push the proposal aggressively. Senior officials made repeated trips to Canberra, emphasizing not only the technical advantages of the New FFM (Future Multi-mission Frigate) but also Tokyo's commitment to defense partnership. Behind closed doors, the Japanese side is said to have offered a bold incentive. If selected, it would prioritize Australia's delivery schedule over its own, even delaying procurement for the Japanese navy. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had earlier announced plans to procure 12 of the New FFM vessels. According to local news in Australia, this offer is what "tipped the scales in Japan's favor." TKMS, the German competitor, had been widely seen as a strong contender until the final stages of deliberation. Officials see off JS Mogami, the first ship of the Mogami class, as it departs at 11:48 AM on April 28, 2022, in Nagasaki City. (©Kyodo) In a separate but critical development, Japan's National Security Council in November 2024 approved participating in Australia's frigate program under its Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology. While the rules typically ban exports of lethal weapons, they permit transfers tied to joint development or production. Until recently, Japanese defense officials had often lamented the country's lack of progress in the international arms market. Bureaucratic inertia, legal constraints, and a limited track record had kept Japan on the sidelines despite its advanced hardware. Australia's decision marks the second time Japan has exported a finished defense system. The first was the export of J/FPS-3ME air surveillance radar systems to the Philippines, under a 2020 agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral security cooperation. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani tours the DSEI Japan exhibition on May 21. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) If the warships are delivered on time and perform as expected, the agreement could unlock future export opportunities for Japan. Among them is Japan's next-generation fighter jet, currently being co-developed with the UK and Italy. For Tokyo, the implications go beyond defense industry economics. The latest deal strengthens security ties with a key regional partner at a time of intensifying competition in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with China's growing maritime assertiveness.
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan to Export Frigates to Australia: Use Joint Development to Strengthen Foundations of Defense Industry
The high-tech capabilities of a Japanese frigate, equipped with a variety of functions such as anti-ship and antiaircraft capabilities and operable by a small number of personnel, seem to have been appreciated. It is hoped that the first joint defense development project between Japan and Australia will be utilized to strengthen systems for safeguarding maritime security and foster the defense industry. The Australian government has announced that it will accept Japan's proposal regarding a new model of frigates that the Australian navy plans to introduce. The two countries will jointly develop a vessel with enhanced capabilities based on the Mogami-class frigate manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. for the Maritime Self-Defense Force. Australia plans to introduce 11 vessels with a 2030 start of operations in mind. The first three vessels will be built in Japan before construction is transferred to Australia for the remaining eight vessels. Australia narrowed down its candidates to Japanese and German manufacturers in autumn last year and since then has held discussions on which to choose. Australia ultimately chose Japan's proposal because it attached importance to such points as Japan's model being operable with a crew of 90, about half the number required for comparable conventional vessels, mainly thanks to the digitalization of instruments. The Australian military is reportedly facing a serious shortage of personnel. Australia is rushing to enhance its naval capabilities due to a sense of caution about China. In February, the Chinese military conducted live-fire training exercises in waters near Australia. China is also deepening security cooperation with Pacific island nations. The waters connecting Japan and Australia are important maritime transport routes for both countries. The waters around the small island nations can be said to be a strategically important area for Australia. China's behavior, as if it is trying to bring these waters under its influence, is unacceptable. The MSDF also plans to eventually have a total of 24 Mogami-class frigates. Use of the same vessels by Japan and Australia and improvement of mutual operational capabilities will effectively help deter China's activities. There remain issues to be resolved in the joint development plan. Australia is said to want to equip its new frigates with U.S.-made cruise missiles. This will require construction in which the hulls are modified. The Japanese side also will need to smoothly transfer technology to Australian engineers. Japan must make steady preparations for a formal contract to be concluded early next year. This is the first time Japan will export large-scale military equipment. For this reason, some may view this as a shift in the nation's postwar arms export policy, but that view is mistaken. In 1976, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Takeo Miki decided on a de facto total ban on arms exports. Before then, Japan allowed exports in a limited manner under the Three Principles on Arms Exports established in 1967, which prohibited exports to countries such as those involved in conflicts. In 2014, the government established the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, marking a shift toward exports with certain conditions. With an increasingly severe security environment, this is an era when it has become necessary to jointly develop equipment and deepen defense cooperation with friendly countries. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2025)
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Let's scuttle AUKUS before it sinks
In a welcome display of proper process and reasonable judgment, the Australian government has committed to buy 11 Mogami-class frigates from Japan to replace the ageing ANZAC-class frigates (three to be built in Japan, the rest in Western Australia). The Mogami-class is an advanced and settled design; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is experienced and seemingly reliably produces these ships; and Japan is an important security partner in Australia's region. It is a positive departure from the theatre of the absurd that has recently characterised the Australian government's approach to security, especially its pandering to British delusions and determination to flog the dead horse that is AUKUS. Just the preceding month of July saw a conga line of such folly. Examples are as memorable as they are depressing. Britain's commitment to the defence of Australia was declared to be ' absolute ', according to the UK Defence Secretary John Healey, in a show of solidarity as substantive as a mirage within a hologram within a dream. But it is not Australia's dream. Australia remembers the fall of Singapore and the tissue-like protection of British security guarantees. It is exclusively a British dream, and one that should receive no traction in Australia. At the heart of this imperial hallucination lies the AUKUS fallacy – the belief that Australia's defence and security is well served by the acquisition of eight nuclear-powered submarines; that the US will magically increase production of its Virginia Class submarines from 1.2 to 2.3 per year, enabling it to share some with Australia; and that the UK and Australia are capable of developing from scratch a new nuclear-powered submarine within a suitable timeframe and to an acceptable level of reliability and capability (noting that Britain's current Astute-class nuclear attack submarines are often not at sea, including now, when all seven of them are wharf-side in repair or awaiting repair). The deficiencies and contradictions in the AUKUS submarine project are so great that in the commercial world such a prospectus would not gain one investor. It is accordingly irresponsible for the Australian government to bankroll such a doomed venture to the tune of $368 billion, which could be better used in real, effective and appropriate defence platforms and munitions, equipment and personnel, not to mention hospitals, schools or even houses. Loading Apart from the unfortunate but telling example of British maritime industrial inability as demonstrated by the Astute-class submarine, Australia has also been burdened by Britain's contribution to the Hunter frigates, which Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge has described as a ludicrous waste of money for very little military capability. In this context, the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty, known as the Geelong Treaty, signed by Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, and Healey, condemns Australia to providing the UK with ongoing industrial support for the next 50 years. Of course, the signatories present the heralded collaboration as vital to Australian and UK shared security interests, but such an assertion collapses under analysis of UK security interests in Australia's region, UK military capabilities available now or in the future to defend Australia, and UK military industrial capabilities to design, manufacture and maintain the submarine capabilities of its imaginings.
