Japan steps up its pitch for $10bn frigates program

The Mogami-class frigates were designed to be interoperable with US warships, which could appeal to Australia in light of the AUKUS program.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force stealth frigate JS Mogami (FFM-1). Picture: Getty Images

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Japan has stepped up its sales pitch for Australia’s $10bn general purpose frigates program, sending one of its Mogami-class stealth frigates to HMAS Stirling naval base.

The JS Noshiro is at the Garden Island base off the coast of Rockingham, where it will be inspected by senior defence officials ahead of a decision later this year. It is the first time a Mogami-class warship has visited Australian waters.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-built Mogami is considered the frontrunner in the race with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp for the frigates contract.

The Mogami-class frigates were designed to be interoperable with US warships, given the decades of collaboration between the US and Japan’s self-defence force. The Japanese are hoping the interchangeability will be a key factor in their favour when the Australian Navy makes its decision, given the looming delivery of US nuclear-powered submarines to the Australian Navy under the AUKUS program.

The Mogami-class frigates being considered by Australia will be an upgraded version of the Noshiro; they will be slightly larger and have additional anti-air warfare capabilities.

JS Noshiro commanding officer Hori Tetsunobu told The Australian through a translator that the ship’s key features were its compact design, the reduced manpower required to operate it, and its high stealth capability. It was also made to be adapted into the future.

“The Mogami frigate was designed to be a class of ship that could progressively evolve and improve due to its long lifespan,” Commander Hori said.

The Mogami-class requires 90 sailors, well down from the 160 or more required for similar vessels. The Australian Navy is already facing difficulties finding the manpower for its growing fleet, and a key focus of its preparations for the AUKUS submarines is to grow the pipeline of sailors.

The ship will be inspected by multiple Defence officials during its time at HMAS Stirling.

“The main purpose for the visit was to conduct joint exercises with the Royal Australian Navy and improve our mutual understanding and relationship of trust, and also to improve our own warfare capabilities and skills,” Commander Hori said.

The Mogami-class frigates include anti-air anti-surface and anti-mine warfare capabilities and feature unmanned underwater vessels that can be used for minesweeping.

Mitsubishi has been delivering a new Mogami-class vessel every six months, and the 11th of 12 ships being built for Japan under the program is set to be delivered in June.

While Japan has never exported a warship, it is pointing to its strong manufacturing track record in its pitch to Australia. Mitsubishi has not missed a delivery deadline in 30 years and has a long record of delivering its ships on budget.

The successful bidder will build the first three frigates offshore but will need to build the remainder of the warships in Australia: something Mitsubishi has never done. But the Mogami-class frigates delivered to date have been built across multiple shipyards, with different capabilities and configurations, encouraging the Japanese that they will be able to adapt to building the frigates out of the Henderson shipyard in Perth’s south.

The new frigates will replace Australia’s existing Anzac-class frigates.