The Albanese Government has announced the selection of Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s new general purpose frigates, according to a joint media release issued on 5 August 2025.
Following a competitive tender process, the Japanese design offered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was judged to best meet the Australian Defence Force’s capability requirements and strategic priorities.
The selected variant features a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32-cell Vertical Launch System, and a mix of anti-ship and surface-to-air missile systems.
“This announcement is another example of the Albanese Government’s focus on investing in the capabilities we need now and into the future, to meet Australia’s strategic circumstances,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. “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.”
The frigates will replace the ageing Anzac-class, providing enhanced undersea warfare and air defence capabilities. The first three ships will be built in Japan, with the first expected to arrive in 2029 and become operational in 2030. The remainder will be constructed at the consolidated Henderson shipbuilding precinct in Western Australia.
Defence Minister Pat Conroy highlighted the missile capacity of the new platform as a key advantage. “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,” he said.
The decision comes months ahead of schedule and follows the Government’s earlier commitment to respond to the Independent Analysis of Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet. Over the next decade, $55 billion will be invested in the naval surface fleet, with long-term plans to more than double the number of Navy surface combatants.
While the Government acknowledged the quality proposal from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, it will now move into contract negotiations with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japanese government, aiming to sign binding commercial agreements in 2026.
