Australia and Japan Finalize $6.5 Billion Warship Deal for Mogami Frigates
Australia and Japan have signed a significant defense contract valued at 10 billion Australian dollars ($6.5 billion) for the delivery of a fleet of Japanese-designed warships. The agreement includes the construction of the first three Mogami-class frigates by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, with an additional eight to be built in Western Australia. This deal marks a major advancement for Japan's defense industry, which had previously lost a submarine contract to a French company in 2016. The new fleet will replace Australia's aging ANZAC-class frigates, enhancing the country's naval capabilities against modern threats. The first frigate is expected to be delivered by 2029, with the project representing the fastest acquisition of a surface combatant in the history of the Royal Australian Navy. 
