Japan authorizes export of frigates to Australia

1 December, 2024 JS Agano Mogami-class frigate preparing for flag-raising ceremony. Photo from open sources The Japanese government has authorized Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to jointly develop and manufacture new frigates with Australia to participate in an Australian tender.

Naval News reported on this. Currently, Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are competing in the tender to purchase a new multi-purpose frigate. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries submitted a proposal for a modernized project of the Japanese Mogami class frigate, while Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposed its MEKO A-200 project.

"As stated in the National Defense Strategy, Japan is building a close cooperative relationship with Australia as a 'special strategic partner' in the Indo-Pacific region, second only to Japan-U.S. defense cooperation," the Japanese government stated.

Multipurpose frigates for Australia

Australia plans to purchase 11 new multi-purpose frigates to replace eight outdated Anzac-class frigates commissioned in the 90s and early 00s. "Australia's new multi-role frigates will be equipped for underwater warfare and local air defense to protect maritime trade routes and our northern approaches," the Australian Department of Defense noted. According to the plan, the first three ships will be built overseas, with the first frigate due to enter service in 2030.

The remaining eight are to be built at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

Comparison of the original Mogami frigate (left) and the modernized design (right). Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

The modernized Mogami class frigate, or New FFM, is an evolution of the original Mogami class frigates. It is 142 meters long, 17 meters wide, and has a standard displacement of 4,880 metric tons.

It will have an improved radar and a Mark 41 VLS vertical launcher with 32 cells, compared to 16 in the original design. The new ship will also have a low-visibility design, reach speeds of over 30 knots, and have a crew of only about 90 people due to the high level of automation. Along with the program to purchase new multi-purpose frigates, Australia is also conducting a program to build larger Hunter anti-submarine frigates.

These ships will have a displacement of 8800 tons, a length of 151.4 m, and a width of 21.4 m. The maximum speed will be over 27 knots, and the range will be 13,000 km. The team will consist of 180 people.

A total of USD 26.36 billion has been allocated for the program to develop, create infrastructure, and construct six Hunter frigates.