Australia Selects Japan's Mogami in $6B Frigates Buy

Australia has chosen Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for its future general-purpose warships, advancing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to the next stage of the procurement process.

The Albanese Government announced the decision following a competitive tender, stating that MHI’s design best met the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) requirements. The frigate was assessed for its capability, strategic fit, and readiness for rapid delivery.

The upgraded 4,800-ton Mogami-class offers a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32-cell Vertical Launch System, and is equipped with surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles. It also features reduced manpower requirements and scalability for future upgrades.

MHI has been designing and constructing the Mogami-class since 2018 and was selected in 2023 as the main contractor for the upgraded version used by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Australian Government had shortlisted the design in November 2024.

The first three frigates will be built in Japan, with delivery starting in 2029 and operational deployment by 2030. The remainder will be constructed in Western Australia as part of the Albanese Government’s continuous naval shipbuilding strategy.

MHI will continue working with the Japanese government and industry partners to support the procurement process and finalize a proposal ahead of binding contracts planned for 2026.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said, “The upgraded Mogami-class frigate is the best option for our Navy, boosting its capability to put to sea. It will take our general-purpose frigates from being able to fire 32 air defence missiles to 128 missiles.”

The Albanese Government’s $55 billion investment aims to more than double the Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The frigates will replace the Anzac-class and operate alongside Hunter-class frigates, upgraded Hobart-class destroyers, and new missile systems.