Australia Buys Japan’s Missile-Packed Warships in $10 Billion Deal to Counter China’s Naval Expansion

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a dramatic tilt of Indo-Pacific power dynamics, Australia has selected Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate over a German competitor in a landmark decision that will see its surface fleet transformed into a more lethal, survivable, and combat-ready force aimed squarely at countering the rapid naval rise of China.

The announcement by Defence Minister Richard Marles confirms that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has won a fiercely contested multibillion-dollar contract to supply 11 advanced general-purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy, defeating Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and its MEKO A-200 proposal.

“The upgraded Mogami-class frigate will help secure our maritime trade routes and our northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal naval surface combatant fleet,” Marles declared, signalling Australia’s strategic shift toward a more assertive naval posture.

The first three vessels will be constructed in Japanese shipyards, while the remaining eight will be built domestically in Western Australia, under a $10 billion initial agreement that will also fund workforce expansion, shipbuilding infrastructure, and integration of long-range precision missiles.

This is a major breakthrough for Japan, whose defence industry had previously never secured a warship export of this magnitude, and a geopolitical win for Tokyo’s defence diplomacy amid intensifying trilateral security cooperation with Canberra and Washington.

At 6,200 tonnes full-load displacement, the upgraded Mogami-class is significantly larger and more heavily armed than its German rival and Australia’s existing Anzac-class frigates, boasting an array of advanced features tailored for high-end warfare in contested seas.

Its most potent asset is its 32-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), configured for strike-length missiles—quadrupling the missile capacity of the outgoing Anzac-class and doubling that of the MEKO A-200—and capable of launching SM-6 long-range interceptors, ESSMs for medium-range air defence, and potentially even Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.

Officially, Australia plans to reserve Tomahawks for its Hobart-class destroyers, but the inclusion of strike-length VLS cells on the Mogami opens the door to flexible upgrades, reinforcing the frigate’s role as a platform built with future conflict scenarios in mind.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy emphasized the scale of the upgrade: “It will take our general-purpose frigates from being able to fire 32 air defence missiles to 128 missiles, giving our sailors the cutting-edge weapons and combat systems they need to prevail in an increasingly complex environment.”

This boost in missile capacity will allow the upgraded Mogami to sustain operations longer without replenishment, remain in contested zones with higher survivability, and deliver layered air defence over a wider battlespace—critical capabilities in any future conflict involving China’s rapidly modernising naval arsenal.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has emerged as the world’s largest navy by ship numbers and continues to commission destroyers, frigates, and amphibious vessels at an unprecedented pace, alongside advanced ship-launched missiles such as the YJ-18 and HHQ-9B.

Against this backdrop, the Royal Australian Navy’s move to acquire the upgraded Mogami reflects both operational necessity and strategic foresight, replacing the Cold War-era Anzac-class fleet with a next-generation combatant designed to operate in the high-threat environments of the South China Sea and beyond.

The first upgraded Mogami frigate is expected to enter service by 2029—five years ahead of the first delivery of Australia’s larger but delayed Hunter-class frigates—closing a capability gap that could have left Australia vulnerable to maritime coercion through the early 2030s.

Equally important is the crew footprint: the upgraded Mogami requires just 90 personnel, compared to 120 for the MEKO A-200 and 180 for the Anzac-class, a critical factor for a navy facing chronic personnel shortages and aiming for leaner, more automated operations.

Advanced automation and integrated combat systems not only reduce crew burden but enhance readiness, allowing faster mission turnarounds and more flexible deployments across Australia’s vast maritime zone and its forward operating areas in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The decision also reaffirms Japan’s place as a trusted strategic partner and high-tech defence provider, leveraging its experience with the Mogami-class in Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) service and aligning with its new export policy that encourages arms collaboration with like-minded democracies.

With a projected 40-year service life, the upgraded Mogami offers long-term viability and upgradeability, ensuring it remains relevant against evolving threats, including hypersonic missiles, electronic warfare, and AI-enhanced drone swarms—domains where China is making significant advances.

The warship’s ability to incorporate modular mission packages, integrate with allied surveillance and targeting networks, and launch precision-guided munitions ensures interoperability with U.S., Japanese, and other allied forces in joint Indo-Pacific operations.

Australia’s selection of the upgraded Mogami is not just about replacing old steel—it’s a declaration of intent, a shift toward strategic deterrence by denial, and a commitment to meet aggression with credible, deployable force at sea.

“The upgraded Mogami class frigate is the best option for our Navy, boosting its capability to put to sea,” said Marles, underscoring the urgency with which Australia views its maritime defence imperatives.

The Mogami-class’ ability to stay in harm’s way, defend itself with multi-layered air defences, and launch retaliatory strikes if necessary, makes it a warship purpose-built for the emerging era of Indo-Pacific confrontation.

As maritime trade routes grow increasingly contested and grey-zone operations intensify from the East China Sea to the Timor Gap, the Royal Australian Navy’s Mogami fleet will serve as both shield and sword—capable of preserving sovereignty, projecting stability, and, if needed, delivering decisive force.

With construction commencing soon in Japan and Western Australia, and delivery timelines already compressed, the deal marks a new era for Australia’s naval doctrine—one centered on speed, survivability, and striking power.

The Mogami frigates will be more than just ships—they will be the steel backbone of Australia’s maritime strategy in an age where sea control defines national security, and deterrence is only as credible as the missiles in your VLS.