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| Mogami-class frigate |
Australia has chosen Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class design to replace its aging Anzac-class frigates, securing a defense contract worth about AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion). The first three vessels will be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, with the remaining eight constructed in Western Australia.
The new frigates will feature advanced anti-submarine, air-defense, and surface warfare systems, a 32-cell vertical launch system, and a 10,000-nautical-mile range. Delivery of the first ship is set for 2029, with operational service expected by 2030.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani hailed the deal as “a strategic milestone” (Breaking Defense, Aug. 4, 2025), while analysts warn that operating two frigate classes may present logistical challenges.