The Japanese government has officially launched its bid to jointly develop and build a fleet of new frigates for Australia, a key step in strengthening defense ties between the two nations.
This announcement, made following the November 27 meeting of the National Security Council of four ministers at the Prime Minister’s Office, comes shortly after the Australian government shortlisted Japan and Germany for the prestigious contract earlier this week.
Australia’s “Project Sea 3000” aims to replace its aging frigates with 11 state-of-the-art vessels. The project’s total value is estimated at up to $10 billion Australian dollars ($6.5 billion USD).
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) are currently in the advanced stage of the selection process, having successfully passed the initial phase.
The project is part of Australia’s broader efforts to modernize its naval forces and enhance security capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan’s bid centers around the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s advanced Mogami-class frigate, a vessel known for its stealthy design and cutting-edge technology.
The Japanese government said that the joint development and construction of the frigates would increase military interoperability between Japan and Australia and have major strategic importance for Japan’s security.
Under Japan’s proposed plan, the first three of the new frigates would be built in Japan, with the remaining vessels assembled in Australia. This model would allow for efficient production while promoting the transfer of technology and expertise to Australia.
The Mogami-class frigate is well-suited for a wide range of naval missions, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare and minesweeping operations.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the Mogami-class frigate is “suitable for navigation in the open sea but can be operated by a small number of crewmembers.”
While Japan’s bid is gaining momentum, the German contender has its own advantages. The Ministry pointed out that the German frigate manufacturer has possible merits in terms of continuity since it built Australia’s current fleet.
Many defense observers also view the German bid as the most favorable, primarily because of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) long-standing familiarity with German shipbuilders.
The MEKO A-200 ships proposed by Germany feature a modular design that facilitates easy integration with Australia’s CEA radars and SAAB’s 9LV combat management system—both of which are already utilized across a range of Australian naval platforms, including the ANZAC and Canberra classes. The existing ANZAC class fleet, which consists of nine vessels, is based on older MEKO designs.
The Australian government is expected to make its final decision by the end of next year after thoroughly evaluating the proposals from both Japan and Germany.
Japan’s Defense Export Push
Tokyo views its participation in the Australian frigate development project as essential to strengthening and expanding defense cooperation with Australia. The Mitsubishi Mogami 30FFM, known for its capabilities, is a highly regarded asset, though Japan has never previously exported a combat system of such complexity.
If Japan successfully wins the contract, it would represent a major advancement for its defense industry. In recent years, Japan has notably increased its defense spending, with a sharp emphasis on enhancing its naval capabilities.
This move comes in the wake of growing regional security challenges and Japan’s need to adapt to a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. The nation has also reinterpreted its post-World War II pacifist constitution, which historically restricted the development and deployment of offensive military systems.
Despite Japan’s cautious approach to military exports, dictated by its pacifist constitution, the nation has sought to expand its defense exports to select countries in recent years. India, in particular, has been one of the key partners in this regard.
While Japan and India had previously discussed procuring amphibious planes for the Indian Navy, the deal failed to materialize due to high costs and other urgent procurement priorities within the Indian Navy.
However, in mid-November, Japan also signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) with India for the joint development of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast.
This conical structure, designed to enhance stealth capabilities by housing antennas atop warships, will be fitted onto Indian naval vessels as part of the India-Japan Defense Technology Cooperation framework.
If successful, this will mark the first export of Japanese defense technology under the bilateral agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer, which was signed in 2015.
Additionally, Japan’s growing ambitions in the global defense arena come at a time when the US Navy is grappling with severe maintenance delays due to overcrowded shipyards.
To address this issue, the US has begun seeking assistance from its allies, particularly Japan, which boasts one of the world’s most capable shipbuilding industries.
Earlier this year, US and Japanese officials began discussions about expanding Japan’s involvement in conducting major repairs on US Navy vessels at its own shipyards.
This partnership could provide a much-needed solution to the US Navy’s maintenance backlog. It would allow US shipyards to prioritize new construction projects while ensuring that vessels can remain in the Indo-Pacific region longer, a crucial advantage in countering China’s growing military presence.
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