Nagasaki: Japan isn’t being shy about its desire to turn Australia into the inaugural customer for its advanced Mogami frigate, with the usually-conservative Ministry of Defence taking the rare step of flying Australian-based reporters to Nagasaki this week in order to hype up the Mogami’s capabilities.
Reporters were briefed for three days about the ship’s systems, Japan’s strong view that it and Australia would benefit from an even closer defence and industrial relationship and the fact that shipbuilder Mistubishi Heavy Industry will include all the program’s intellectual property and provide parts and support for the ships predicted 40-year lifespan.
As a sign of the government’s full-court press, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani attended the launch and naming of the 11th ship of the class, and made a point of presenting his business card to each reporter after the launch ceremony.
Should Australia buy the Mogami it would, Nakatani told reporters, “increase sustainment and resilience” in the Indo-Pacific. He, and almost every industry and government official reporters spoke with, stressed this is an “all-Japan government approach” to demonstrate how ready and committed Japan is to export its first major weapon system since before World War II.
Japan is competing against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to sell Australia 11 frigates, built in part to replace Australia’s aging ANZAC-class ships. The first three of the new ships will be built in the winning company’s country, then Australia will build the next eight in Western Australia in the Henderson shipyards north of Perth. The fourth ship may be built in the foreign yard, depending on how ready Henderson is at the time.
Currently, the Australian Defence Force and the ministry are working with the two companies in what is known as Comprehensive Risk Reduction, sources close to the program said. A key decision will be made — probably this month — by the National Security Council after being briefed by the Defence Department. That will be followed by the official Request For Tender. A final decision on the winner is expected by the end of this year. Delivery of the first ship is expected by the end of 2029.
One of Australia’s requirements for the competition was that the contenders had to be ships that could be bought straight off-the-shelf. Australia would buy an improved version of the Mogami, featuring a 32-cell Vertical Launch system that would double that of TKMS’ initial offer. It would also boast two diesel engines to provide enough power for the sophisticated Anti-Submarine Warfare systems, mine warfare, advanced AESA radar and other sensors. They are mounted on large rubber gaskets to reduce vibration and other noises. The ship, which can steam at greater than 30 knots, has enough range to reach Djibiouti from Japan. Primary power is provided by a Rolls Royce MT30 gas turbine.
