Two Firms Shortlisted To Supply Australia’s New Frigates

The Royal Australian Navy's new general purpose frigates will be supplied by either Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

As per a recent press statement the Albanese Government has down-selected the two shipbuilders to progress designs to help provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet. 

The new general purpose frigates are intended to replace the Anzac Class frigates. Their duties will include undersea warfare and local air defence wit the aim of securing maritime trade routes and the country's northern shorelines.

Having shortlisted two firms from its initial approach to five companies earlier in 2024, ADF's next step will be to work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to further develop the proposals for their Mogami and MEKO A-200 frigates, respectively. The ADF will also engage Australian industry partners in this phase.

The Albanese Government is investing up to $55 billion over the decade, including up to $10 billion for 11 planned general purpose frigates, as part of a blueprint that will more than double the size of Navy’s surface fighting fleet.

The first three frigates will be built offshore with the the intention that  the remainder will be constructed locally at the Henderson shipyard facility in Western Australia. The aim is to have the first of the new vessels delivered by the end of the decade.

The ADF statement noted: "The decision to progress the Mogami and MEKO A-200 designs was informed by a rigorous evaluation by Defence that identified these designs as likely to best meet Australia’s capability requirements."

• You can read more details on the Australian Government website