Breaking News: Japanese Mogami-Class Frigates Explained as Selected by Australia for Its Naval Forces.

On August 5, 2025, the Australian Government announced the selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) general-purpose frigate program under SEA 3000. The agreement, valued at AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion), includes the construction of three upgraded Mogami-class frigates in Japan and eight additional units to be built in Australia. The decision concludes the SEA 3000 program’s competitive selection process and marks the largest naval surface fleet procurement since the Hunter-class program.
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The main differences between the original Mogami and the upgraded variant selected by Australia are a larger hull, increased displacement, expanded radar and sensor systems, and the integration of a 32-cell strike-length Mk 41 VLS instead of the original 16-cell configuration. (Picture source: Australian MoD)

The SEA 3000 program’s competitive selection process began in early 2024, and originally shortlisted four international designs: Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class, Germany’s MEKO A-200 by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), South Korea’s FFX Batch II/III, and Spain’s Alfa 3000 proposed by Navantia. The Korean and Spanish designs were eliminated by the end of 2024, and the final evaluation stage involved a detailed assessment of the Japanese and German proposals. Japan's upgraded Mogami was ultimately chosen for its ability to deliver capability rapidly, for its strategic compatibility with Australian and U.S. naval systems, and for the strength of its industrial offer, which included deep cooperation and production transfer to Australia. While the initial $10 billion AUD contract covers the first three ships and associated infrastructure, further negotiations are expected to continue into 2026 to finalize pricing, sustainment plans, and transfer of production technologies.

In February 2025, the JS Noshiro made a port call in the Philippines before joining joint exercises with the Royal Australian Navy, allowing Australian officials to assess the Mogami-class ship's interoperability in real-world conditions. In June 2025, another Mogami-class, the JS Yahagi, docked in Darwin, where JMSDF officers hosted Australian naval personnel on board. In July, Japanese officials conducted a formal presentation in Canberra, emphasizing the upgraded Mogami’s interoperability with U.S. Navy systems and its advanced capabilities. These efforts, combined with the strategic and political support from Tokyo, contributed to the Australian National Security Committee's decision to endorse the Japanese bid at a cabinet meeting in early August. This choice marks a significant milestone in Japan’s defense export policy, representing the country’s most significant international arms sale since the lifting of its postwar export ban in 2014.

The Australian Government also noted that the Japanese proposal had the lowest whole-of-life cost among the finalists and would deliver ships faster than any alternative. This accelerated timeline is supported by Japan’s allocation of three production slots to Australia, allowing early construction to begin without displacing Japan’s own naval priorities. In terms of industrial benefits, MHI and Australian partners are expected to collaborate on local construction, workforce training, and long-term maintenance; according to official Australian statements, the first three upgraded Mogami-class frigates will be built by MHI in Japan and delivered to Australia starting in 2029, with operational service scheduled to begin in 2030. This is five years earlier than the original schedule proposed under the former Coalition government, which anticipated first deliveries by 2034. The remaining eight frigates will be constructed at the Henderson maritime complex in Western Australia by Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia, a newly created subsidiary of Austal in which the Australian government is a sovereign shareholder.

The upgraded Mogami-class frigates will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s ageing Anzac-class frigates, which have been in service since the mid-1990s. These new ships will provide capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and long-range strike. They will operate alongside the Hunter-class frigates and the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers, forming a three-tiered fleet of major surface combatants. Together with investments in advanced missiles, the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program, and developments in autonomous and uncrewed systems, the introduction of the Mogami-class will contribute to Australia’s goal of more than doubling its surface combatant force. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the new frigates will secure Australia’s maritime trade routes and northern approaches, enabling impactful projection in response to growing regional challenges, particularly China’s increased presence in the Indo-Pacific.

The upgraded Mogami-class selected by Australia is an enlarged and enhanced version of the original 30DX frigate design, which began entering service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in 2022. The baseline Mogami-class frigate has a length of 132.5 meters, a beam of 16.3 meters, and displaces approximately 5,500 metric tons at full load. Its propulsion is based on a CODAG system combining one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and two MAN Diesel 12V28/33D STC engines, producing a total of 70,000 horsepower and achieving speeds of over 30 knots. The ship incorporates a high level of automation, allowing it to be operated by a crew of around 90 personnel. It is equipped with advanced sensors, including the OPY-2 AESA radar, OQQ-25 variable depth sonar, and OAX-3 EO/IR system. The combat suite includes a 127 mm Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun, SeaRAM for close-in defense, eight Type 17 anti-ship missiles, Type 07 VLAs for anti-submarine warfare, and two 12.7 mm remote weapon stations. A rear helicopter hangar supports operations of an SH-60L helicopter, and the vessel is capable of deploying UUVs, USVs, and sea mines.

The upgraded Mogami-class selected by Australia will incorporate significant modifications. It will measure 142 meters in length, with a beam of 17 meters, and will displace around 6,200 metric tons. Most notably, the upgraded variant includes a 32-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), a significant expansion from the 16-cell VLS in standard JMSDF units. These strike-length Mk 41 cells are compatible with a variety of munitions, including the Tomahawk cruise missile and the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), with four ESSMs able to fit in a single cell, potentially allowing up to 128 interceptors to be carried. This upgrade represents a fourfold increase in missile capacity over the existing Anzac-class frigates, which are currently equipped with only 16 VLS cells and have a maximum range of about 6,000 nautical miles, compared to the upgraded Mogami’s 10,000-nautical-mile operational endurance.

The strategic implications of the deal are considerable. For Australia, the acquisition is not only about modernizing its fleet but also about reinforcing interoperability with key allies, as part of a broader $55 billion investment in the Navy’s surface combatant fleet over the next decade. The upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate was explicitly designed to integrate with U.S. Navy platforms, and its selection supports trilateral cooperation among Australia, Japan, and the United States. For Japan, this is a breakthrough export success. Following the unsuccessful 2016 submarine bid, the sale of the upgraded Mogami-class frigates represents Japan’s first full warship export in the postwar era, which was restrained by the constitutional Article 9. MHI has confirmed that it will allow Australia to skip ahead in its production schedule and has announced plans to expand facilities in Canberra. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani described the deal as a major leap in Japan’s defense diplomacy, advancing shared regional security interests and technological collaboration. Japan’s broader defense strategy continues to evolve, and this sale aligns with its growing willingness to export complex systems and build partnerships beyond its alliance with the U.S.