The formalised deal offers Canberra a strategic alternative to uncertain US defence ties, analysts say
3-MIN READ3-MIN11 ListenMaria SiowPublished: 8:00am, 24 Apr 2026Updated: 8:56am, 24 Apr 2026A landmark warship deal between Australia and Japan is expected to drive further defence technology cooperation between the two Asia-Pacific nations, comparable in scope to Canberra’s security arrangements with Washington.
Analysts say the agreement with Tokyo will also help Canberra address navy shortfalls and reduce its overreliance on the US at a time of great volatility.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi announced on Saturday that the two countries had signed contracts for the first three of 11 Mogami-class frigates to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy under a landmark US$7 billion deal.AdvertisementMitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first three frigates in Japan for delivery in 2029. The remaining eight will be constructed at a shipyard in Western Australia.The defence ministers of Australia Richard Marles (left) and Japan Shinjiro Koizumi sign the contract for Japan to deliver the first three of Mogami-class warships in Melbourne on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Marles described the Japanese frigates as a major step towards building a larger and more lethal Australian surface combat fleet. “The time frame that we’ve announced is the fastest acquisition of a surface combatant into service in the Royal Australian Navy ever,” he said.
