Australia, Japan strike largest defence deal for advanced warships
Australian minister lauds deal for next-generation, Mogami-class frigates and their long-range missile capabilities.
www.aljazeera.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
Short answer
- Australia and Japan have moved forward with a multibillion-dollar deal to supply Australia with Mogami-class frigates, with the first three ships to be built in Japan and the rest domestically in Australia. Initial deliveries are planned to begin around 2029, with the broader program running into the mid- to late-2020s.[1][3][5]
Context and key details
- Deal value and scope: The arrangement is described as roughly A$10 billion (about US$6.5 billion) to deliver 11 Mogami-class frigates, including 3 built in Japan and 8 assembled in Australia, marking one of Japan’s largest defense export deals in recent history.[3][5][1]
- Timing and milestones: The first Japanese-built frigates are expected to be delivered by around 2029, with the rest following as production ramps up in Australia, reflecting a staged approach to sustain naval modernization.[5][1]
- Strategic context: The agreement reinforces deepening security cooperation between Australia and Japan in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with broader regional defense cooperation and deterrence objectives, particularly given regional security dynamics.[1][3]
Representative coverage you can read for more detail
- Reuters/Associated reporting on the contract launch and the split between Japan-built and Australia-built ships, plus delivery timelines.[5]
- Coverage highlighting the scale of the deal as Japan’s largest defense export since ending export bans in 2014, and its significance for Australia’s navy modernization.[3][1]
- Additional articles recounting the contract value around A$10 billion and noting the first three frigates being constructed in Japan before transitioning to onshore assembly in Australia.[1][3]
If you’d like, I can pull the exact passages from these articles or summarize the financials, timeline, and personnel/logistics implications in a concise table. I can also provide a quick visual (chart) comparing the frigate numbers, build locations, and delivery milestones.