Australia has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan to build a new Nava Frigate classl, said Defense Minister Richard Marles, promoting strategic ties between the two allies of the United States.
“This is clearly the largest agreement in the defense industry ever reached between Japan and Australia”Marles declared the press in Canberra on Tuesday. “It is a very significant moment in our bilateral relationship.”
Mogami Heavy Mogami frigates surpassed their European rival Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
The Mogami class frigate is a poaching and has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long -range missilesMarles said. It is a much larger ship than the Anzac class frigate which I would replacehe added, but can operate with a smaller crew.
Australia, an open and commercial island nation, surrounded by the Pacific and Indian oceansIt depends on safe maritime routes for the transport of goods inside and outside the country. The reform reflects an increasingly disputed region as the Chinese army expands along with its economic influence.
Australia will now proceed to the next stage of the acquisition process to sign commercial contracts binding with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries And the Japanese government in 2026, Marles said in a statement.
The first three of a total of 11 frigates will be built in Japan. The first ship will be delivered in 2029 and will enter service in 2030, according to the statement.
Tokyo has sought to make his most attractive proposal with local production plans in Australia after the initial delivery. Japan’s high uniformed military officer has also suggested that Australia could have priority for the first ship, before the Japanese Navy.
The Japanese government considers defense exports as a way to strengthen the relatively small base industry basel of the country’s defense. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is the largest company in the sector, but most of its defense business is used for the Japanese army’s self -defense forces.
In recent years, Japan has gradually reduced defense exports restrictions imposed after World War II to help accelerate industry growth.
Marles said the successful consolidation of the Henderson enclosure in Western Australia It will allow the remaining frigates to be built locally.
“The modernized Mogami class frigate will help ensure our maritime trade routes and our northern accesses As part of a larger and more lethal surface combat fleet, ”he said.
