Australia and Japan sign $7 billion deal for new warships

Australia and Japan have officially signed contracts to launch a landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) warship deal, marking Tokyo's most significant military export since the end of its military export ban in 2014. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi formalized the agreement in Melbourne, reaffirming their shared commitment to the delivery of the vessels. > "The memorandum reaffirms the Australian and Japanese governments' shared commitment to the successful delivery of the warships." The agreement, which was initially struck in August, underscores Japan's strategic shift away from postwar pacifism. By strengthening security ties beyond its traditional alliance with the United States, Japan aims to create a more robust regional defense network to counter the expanding military presence of China. Under the terms of the deal, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES will supply the Royal Australian Navy with three upgraded Mogami-class multi-role frigates. These initial ships are scheduled to be built in Japan, with the first delivery expected in 2029. Following this phase, the project will transition to an onshore build at the Henderson shipyard near Perth in Western Australia, where an additional eight frigates will be constructed. The Japanese Defence Ministry confirmed that the ministers welcomed the conclusion of the contracts for the General Purpose Frigates and pledged to further strengthen bilateral defense ties. The new fleet is designed to perform specialized tasks, including submarine hunting, surface ship strikes, and air defense. Australia plans to deploy these assets to protect critical maritime trade routes and its northern approaches in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.