Japan, Australia finalise contracts to deliver first 3 of planned frigates

This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability

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Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles (left) and Japan’s Minister of Defence Koizumi Shinjiro chat after signing the contract for Japan to deliver the first three of Mogami-class warships, in Melbourne on April 18, 2026. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:08pm, 18 Apr 2026

Japan and Australia said on Saturday they have finalised contracts to jointly deliver the first three of 11 ships for the Australian navy based on the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate, as the two countries deepen their defence cooperation amid China’s growing assertiveness.

The deal, announced by Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Melbourne, comes ahead of Japan’s planned easing of its rules on defence equipment exports, which place strict limits on the export of weapons with lethal capabilities.

Currently such exports are only allowed if they are part of a joint development and production project.

The three vessels will be built in Japan, with Marles saying at a joint press conference aboard the Mogami-class Kumano frigate after the talks that the first one is scheduled to be delivered to Australia in December 2029.

The government of Australia, viewed by Japan as a “quasi-ally” and a key partner in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, said it will invest up to AU$20 billion (US$14.4 billion) over 10 years on the development of the new fleet.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles (left podium) and Japan’s Minister of Defence Koizumi Shinjiro (right podium) at a press conference in Melbourne on April 18, 2026. Photo: AFP

The ministers, who previously met in Tokyo on April 8, also signed a document pledging close coordination to ensure the project proceeds smoothly.

Japan, Australia finalise contracts to deliver first 3 of planned frigates

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability

This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability