Japan’s defence chief says Australia could receive the first of his country’s new and upgraded Mogami warships ahead of his own navy, if the cutting-edge design is selected for a $10 billion contract, the ABC reports.
As the Department of Defence evaluates rival bids from Japan and Germany, the ABC can reveal a current version of the Mogami is likely to visit Australia next month, with Tokyo linking its pitch to greater “trilateral cooperation” alongside the United States.
Australia wants to quickly replace its aging ANZAC-class fleet from 2029 with either Japan’s upgraded Mogami built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, or Germany’s MEKO 200 constructed by ThyssenKrupp-Marine systems.
In a rare interview with a foreign media outlet, General Yoshihide Yoshida outlined how the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) would give “priority” to Australia if the Mogami was selected for the massive general purpose frigate (GPF) project.
Under current plans, the JMSDF expects to receive the first of the 12 new upgraded Mogami warships in 2027, with Japan previously guaranteeing delivery of the third in the series to the Australian Navy in 2029.
“The JMSDF has already made it clear that if the priority is to field this upgraded version of Mogami to Australia, [it] comes first,” General Yoshida said during an interview at Japan’s defence headquarters in Tokyo.
“[If that happens] then JMSDF is going to postpone its program to field this ship, so priority is to let Australia have that upgraded version,” he told the ABC, speaking through a translator.
A Mogami warship is expected to visit Australia in February as Defence assesses rival offerings from Japan and Germany.
The full report is here.
