Australia’s navy will be bolstered with new frigates within five years after a multi-billion deal with a Japanese ship builder was announced today.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate was the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general-purpose frigates.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the first frigates would be built in Japan under an accelerated program, with the first scheduled to be delivered to Australia in 2029 and operational in 2030.
He said the new general purpose frigates would replace the Anzac-class frigates, under a reported $10 billion deal, and be equipped for undersea warfare and air defence.
“Alongside the Hunter-class frigates and the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and advanced missile investments, the general purpose frigates will be an essential part of the Government’s plan to more than double the size of Navy’s surface combatant fleet.”
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
He said the upgraded Mogami-class frigate boasted a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32 Cell Vertical Launch System, and was fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles.
“The upgraded Mogami-class frigate will help secure our maritime trade routes and our northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal naval surface combatant fleet.”
