Australia, Japan Sign $7B Warship Deal for Maritime Defense

Australia and Japan have signed a landmark deal worth $7 billion for Australia to receive warships. The agreement was announced on Saturday by Defence Ministers Richard Marles and Shinjiro Koizumi.

The Royal Australian Navy will receive three upgraded Mogami-class multi-role frigates built in Japan from 2029, with eight more to be constructed in Australia. These ships are designed to hunt submarines, strike surface vessels, and provide air defense.

Australia plans to deploy the warships to defend key maritime trade routes and its northern approaches in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where China’s military presence is growing.