Australia, MHI formalise contract for three Mogami-class frigates

The Australian government has signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the construction of three upgraded Mogami-class frigates, selected as part of the nation’s general purpose frigate (GPF) programme.

The contract signing follows Australia’s selection of the platform in August last year.

MHI will construct the vessels at its Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, working alongside the Australian and Japanese governments, as well as industry partners involved in the GPF project.

The shipbuilder is scheduled to deliver the first frigate by December 2029.

The upgraded Mogami-class vessels are equipped for anti-submarine warfare, self-defence, land and maritime strike, and force protection. The vessels have a displacement of 6,200 tonnes, measuring 142m in length with a beam of 17m.

Powered by combined diesel and gas propulsion, the frigates are capable of reaching speeds exceeding 30 knots and operating at ranges up to 10,000 nautical miles.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “Acquiring upgraded Mogami-class frigates demonstrates the Albanese Government’s focus on investing in the capabilities we need to keep Australians safe.

“Our surface fleet is more important than at any time in decades. These general purpose frigates will help secure our maritime trade routes and northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.”

Marles and Japanese Minister of Defence, Koizumi Shinjirō, formalised the collaboration through the signing of the ‘Mogami Memorandum’.

Financial terms of the contract remain undisclosed, but several news outlets have cited the deal value at approximately A$10bn ($7.1bn).

Meanwhile, the 2026 Integrated Investment Programme, released last week, includes a commitment of up to A$20bn over 10 years for general purpose frigate capabilities.

Royal Australian Navy sailors have already trained with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force on the Mogami-class vessel JS Kumano during Exercise Kakadu.

Long-term defence plans indicate investment in future frigate construction at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, which is expected to support around 10,000 specialised jobs in the industry.

Australia Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: “We are delivering these commitments at pace, supporting and creating jobs for Australians, and deepening Australia’s industrial base. The first three frigates will be built offshore in Japan. We will then transition to an onshore build in line with the Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and a future made in Australia.”