Australia Selects Japan to Supply New $10 Billion Frigate Fleet

The Australian government has chosen Japan’s Mogami over a competing bid from Germany, in a first for both countries.

The upgraded Mogami-class frigate, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Supplied/Australian Department of Defence

Australia has chosen Japan to build 11 general-purpose frigates at a cost of around $10 billion (US$6.47 billion), Defence Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy have announced.

To be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Mogami frigate was selected ahead of the German TKMS MEKO A-200.