Australia advances general purpose frigate program with European and Japanese shipbuilders

The program focuses on replacing the ageing Anzac-class frigates with modern vessels capable of undersea warfare and air defence. tkMS’ MEKO A-200 frigate and Mitsubishi’s Mogami-class design were chosen after a rigorous evaluation by Defence to meet Australia’s capability requirements.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, a leading European defence contractor, brings its extensive expertise in naval engineering to the project. Collaboration with Australian industry partners will be crucial in refining the proposals and integrating advanced technologies into the frigates.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles highlighted the strategic importance of the program, stating: “The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring our Navy is equipped with a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet. Navy’s future fleet will constitute the largest number of surface combatants since World War Two.”

Initial construction of the first three frigates will take place offshore, while subsequent vessels will be built locally at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia. This transition is expected to support around 10,000 high-skilled jobs over the next two decades.

The USD 55 billion investment in the Navy’s surface fleet underscores the Government’s dedication to enhancing maritime security. Defence Minister Pat Conroy emphasised the urgency of the project, noting: “The rapid, accelerated work of the general purpose frigate program to date underpins the next stages of the acquisition to ensure this capability is delivered this decade.”