In a historic defense agreement, Japan will supply Australia with 11 Mogami-class stealth frigates—marking its largest military export since World War II. The deal is part of Australia’s General Purpose Frigate (GPF) program, which aims to replace its aging Anzac-class warships and modernize the Royal Australian Navy.
According to Breaking Defense, the $6.5 billion agreement includes the construction of three ships in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the first scheduled for delivery in 2029. The remaining eight frigates are planned for domestic production by Austal Defense Shipbuilding in Australia. However, production delays may lead to additional units being built in Japan.
Japan’s National Security Council approved the export in 2024, signaling a significant shift in the country’s defense posture and its growing role in international security partnerships.
The Mogami-class frigates, known for their stealth design and multi-mission capability, are already in service with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Eight units have been commissioned since 2022, with the fleet expected to expand to 12 by 2027. Notably, six of the currently deployed frigates are not yet equipped with vertical launch systems for Tomahawk missiles.
This agreement reflects a broader trend of increased defense collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, as regional democracies respond to escalating military threats from both China and Russia.
While Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression in Europe, countries like Japan and Australia are reinforcing their maritime capabilities to deter similar authoritarian ambitions in the Pacific. The strengthening of such partnerships underscores the global nature of the challenge posed by revisionist powers.
Once completed, Australia’s fleet of Mogami-class frigates will be nearly double the size of Russia’s projected surface combatant fleet in the Pacific—further signaling a shift in regional military balance.
Earlier, during a visit to Tokyo on August 4, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha offered Japan a partnership in drone development, highlighting Ukraine’s battlefield-tested expertise and proposing joint production for both civilian and defense applications.
Donate Towards Robots, as Well as Other Military Equipment and Supplies to Help Ukraine’s Defenders Fight Off Russian Invaders
