The Royal Australian Navy fleet will be bolstered with upgraded Japanese Mogami-class warships after the Australian Albanese Government selected the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries vessel as its preferred platform for general purpose frigates.
As per a Defence Australia press statement: “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).”
The latest variant of the Mogami-class multi-mission stealth frigate is 142 metres long and has a standard displacement of 4,880 metric tons. It boasts a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles and features a 32-cell Vertical Launch System for missiles, double the capacity of the earlier Mogami-class vessels.
The Japanese versions of the frigates are fitted out with both SEARAM RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles for surface-to-air engagements and the latest incarnation of MHI’s Type 12 anti-ship missiles.
Yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) announcement was made some months ahead of the expected schedule and signifies the administration’s keenness to press ahead with the fleet upgrade.
The first three frigates will be built in Japan, and the aim is to see the first-in-class delivered to Australia in 2029 and in active service during 2030. Previous reports have suggested Australia aims to acquire 11 vessels in total; yesterday’s statement indicated the rest of the vessels are set to be built in the Henderson precinct in Western Australia.
It noted: “Australia’s new general purpose frigates will replace the Anzac-class frigates and will 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 Albanese Government’s plan to more than double the size of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles commented: “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.”
And Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, added: “Today, we are taking another step towards delivering a much larger and more lethal Navy, with stealth frigates that will reassure our allies and deter our adversaries.
“The upgraded Mogami‑class frigate is the best option for our Navy, boosting its capability to put to sea.
“It will take our general purpose frigates from being able to fire 32 air defence missiles to 128 missiles, giving our sailors the cutting‑edge weapons and combat systems they need to prevail in an increasingly complex environment.”
Defence Australia will now press ahead with the procurement process, and anticipates signing commercial contracts with MHI and the Japanese government next year.
- You can read more details on the Defence Australia website