Japanese government authorises Mogami frigate sale to Australia
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
By Kym Bergmann
29 November 2024
On November 28, the Japanese Cabinet Office released a document approving the sale of Mogami-class frigates to Australia. Given the limitations placed on arms sales by the Japanese constitution, this marks an important step forward in the process for SEA 3000.
The other competitor is ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems from Germany, which is offering two MEKO designs.
The declaration refers to both the construction of ships in Japan and the subsequent relocation of the project to Western Australia. Translated from Japanese, the text reads in part:
“Japan has been providing the necessary information at the request of the Australian government and in November 2024 the Australian government narrowed down to two ship candidates as a result of the information provided, and one of them is the “Mogami” type.
“The Reiwa 6 (year 2024) type escort ship (4,800 ton type), which is the capacity improvement type of the escort ship, was selected.
“In the future, the Australian government is expected to decide which ships to be procured in the next general-purpose frigate program after consultation with the proposing countries of ship candidates, including Japan, but if Japan is selected, Australia’s next general purpose frigate development and production (hereinafter referred to as “joint development and production of this case”) will be implemented in Australia, and the finished products, etc will be relocated to Australia.”
The document explains that in accordance with Japan’s National Defence Strategy, a close relationship will be established with Australia, second only to Japan-U.S. cooperation. This means that Australia will be elevated to the position of “special strategic partner” in the Indo-Pacific. It continues:
“Based on such a such a policy, the joint development and production of this case will contribute to a significant improvement in interoperability and compatibility with Australia, as well as strengthening the shipbuilding and maintenance infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region and improving the capacity of our ships in the future and is of great significance to the country’s security.”
It continues that when construction is transferred to Australia it will be to a company mandated by the Australian government and therefore “the certainty of proper management is high.” The declaration also explains that there are no legal impediments to the sale, though it refers to the need for future permits necessary under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of Showa 24).
It concludes with a summary of the capabilities of the Mogami FFM, which is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries:
“06FFM is engaged in continuous and multi-layered information collection and surveillance activities in the surrounding sea areas from time to time and conducts international peace cooperation activities overseas”
The statement says that the frigates can be used for various activities such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare and anti-air warfare “in case of emergency”.
The final sentence reads:
“In addition, it is a multi-purpose escort ship that has been equipped with long-range missiles and enhanced anti-submarine warfare functions from the “Mogami”-type escort ship, which was previously only responsible for anti-aircraft (and) mine warfare functions.”