Australian Defense Minister Marles announced on Tuesday that Australia will spend 6 billion USD (25.419 billion MYR) to purchase 11 Mogami-class frigates from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to upgrade its navy fleet. These new warships can launch long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, with the first new ship expected to be officially commissioned in 2030.
Australia is striving to expand its major warship fleet from 11 to 26 ships within the next 10 years. Marles described this as the largest-scale defense industry deal in history between Japan and Australia. The purchased Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates equipped with a variety of powerful armaments, including 32 vertical launch cells capable of firing long-range missiles.
The first new ship expected to enter service in 2030
Marles stated that these 11 frigates are next-generation vessels and will replace Australia's aging Anzac-class frigate fleet. The first new ship is expected to officially enter service in 2030.
Minister for Defence Industry Conroy stated: “These frigates will be capable of launching long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. Procuring these stealth frigates will make our navy stronger and more lethal.”
In 2023, Australia announced a major military restructuring, shifting its focus to long-range strike capabilities in order to respond to the growing strength of the Chinese navy.
Conroy stated that the first three Mogami-class frigates will be built overseas, while the remaining ones are expected to be produced at shipyards in Western Australia.
Procurement of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines
In 2021, Australia announced an agreement to procure U.S.-designed nuclear-powered submarines, abandoning its long-term plan to acquire French-developed conventional submarines.
Under the trilateral AUKUS agreement signed with the United States and the United Kingdom, the Australian Navy plans to purchase at least three "Virginia-class" submarines within 15 years.