Australia will boost its naval strength by purchasing 11 Mogami-class stealth frigates from Japan in a record-breaking defence deal worth $6 billion. The agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries marks Japan’s biggest arms export since World War II and is part of Australia’s major military upgrade. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the decision was based on capability needs and strong strategic ties between the two countries.
The Mogami-class ships are next-generation vessels equipped with advanced technology, including 32 vertical launch cells that can fire long-range missiles. These warships will replace Australia’s older Anzac-class fleet, with the first ship expected to be operational by 2030. Japan’s victory in securing the contract over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp highlights the growing defence cooperation between Canberra and Tokyo.
This move comes as Australia continues to restructure its military to counter rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The government aims to grow its warship fleet from 11 to 26 over the next decade. Japan, sharing concerns about China’s regional influence, is also strengthening defence ties with allies like Australia through platforms such as the Quad.
Defence officials confirmed that the first three warships will be built in Japan, while Australian shipyards in Western Australia will construct the remaining eight. This strategy supports local industry while ensuring the ships are delivered on time. Minister Pat Conroy stated the new frigates will give Australia “a bigger and more lethal navy.”
Japan recently eased its arms export rules, enabling deals like this to happen. Japanese officials hailed the agreement as a major step in deepening their defence partnership with Australia. They also emphasized the importance of military interoperability between the two nations in the face of shared regional challenges.
This warship deal adds to Australia’s ongoing defence commitments under the AUKUS pact, through which it plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK. Combined with rising defence budgets, these efforts show Australia’s push for long-term military strength and strategic independence in a complex regional environment.