The Mogami-class was assessed as best suited to quickly meet the Royal Australian Navy’s requirements, defeating the MEKO A200 frigate design offered by German shipbuilder TKMS. The decision was announced several months ahead of schedule.
“The Department of Defence will now commence the next phase of the procurement process with the goal of establishing binding commercial agreements with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Government of Japan by 2026,” officials said. The SEA 3000 programme aims to acquire up to 11 new ships to replace the ageing fleet of MEKO 200 Anzac-class frigates.
Currently, the Navy operates seven Anzac-class frigates after one was decommissioned in May 2024. These ships, built between 1996 and 2006, have recently undergone modernisation but are nearing the end of their operational life.
To accelerate the programme, the first three Mogami frigates for Australia will be built in Japan, with the first expected to be delivered in 2029 and entering service in 2030. Subsequent ships will be constructed at the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia.
The total cost of the project is estimated to reach up to AUD 10 billion. These new vessels will operate alongside three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers and the three Hunter-class anti-submarine warfare frigates currently under construction.
While specific technical details have not been disclosed, the Australian version is likely to be based on the upgraded 06FMM Mogami-class model that Mitsubishi is building for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
This marks the first export of a Japanese warship, following last year’s agreement between Tokyo and Manila for five patrol vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard. It is also set to become the largest military contract in Japan’s modern history.
