Japan has taken a significant step in its growing ambition to sell major weapon systems internationally, with its National Security Council formally approving the sale of Mogami-class warships to Australia for its General Purpose Frigate program.
Strengthening Ties with Australia
The Foreign Ministry released a statement on November 28, outlining the importance of Japan’s relationship with Australia, noting that Japan has never previously sold a modern major weapon system to another country. The statement highlighted that “as stated in the National Defense Strategy, Australia will establish a close cooperation relationship second only to Japan-US defense cooperation as a ‘special strategic partner’ in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Based on 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 added.
Mogami-Class Frigates: A Competitive Landscape
The Mogami-class ships, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), are currently in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In the competition worth $10 billion AUD ($6.6 billion USD), MHI is contending against ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (KTMS), which is proposing the Meko A-200, an upgraded version of Australia’s current Anzac-class frigates.
Michael Shoebridge, founder of Strategic Analysis Australia, shared insights with Breaking Defense, emphasizing that should Australia choose the Mogami-class over a German offering, it would significantly enhance the operational capacity of both nations’ militaries and strengthen their defense industrial bases.
Potential for Greater Military Integration
“Japan has an excellent chance of success in this program, particularly if the broader technological partnership it will enable is understood clearly at the government level in both nations,” Shoebridge noted, combining expertise in defense acquisitions.
He further elaborated that while the Australian navy’s aging ANZAC frigates are based on a German design, the decade-old construction project has diminished any incumbency advantages for the Germans. “The Germans do not have any formal defense ties with Canberra, while Japan has been actively strengthening its military collaboration with Australia through initiatives such as the Reciprocal Access Arrangement and new troop rotations announced just last month,” he stated.
AUKUS Partnership and Future Cooperation
If Japan secures the contract, anticipated by mid-next year, it would significantly elevate Japan and Australia’s military technology partnership akin to AUKUS Pillar Two collaborations. “This would open avenues for broader cooperation in advanced military technologies, where Japan has clear advantages,” Shoebridge asserted.
He highlighted that “the fact that the Japanese Government and MHI are offering to build Mogami-class frigates for and with Australia is a noteworthy statement about the strategic and technological partnership they envision, especially following the setback from the submarine decision a decade ago. Australia should recognize the serious and positive intent Japan holds in making this offer now.”
Retaining Control Over Exports
Notably, the announcement included that Japan will maintain veto power over the transfer of the weapon to a third party, mirroring a practice seen in U.S. defense exports. This reflects Japan’s commitment to becoming a more significant player in the global defense export market, signaling its ambition to enhance its role in international security cooperation.
