Japan's Mogami frigates transform Australia's naval fleet
Japan's new Mogami-class frigates have four times more missile cells than Australia's Anzac ships. They arrive starting in 2029.
Australia's Royal Australian Navy will get a major upgrade. Three Mogami-class frigates will arrive starting in 2029 from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and will replace Anzac-class ships.
The Anzac ships were built between 1996 and 2006. They are Australia's oldest surface ships.
Their hulls show major damage. Mogamis are faster and travel further.
They also carry far more weapons. Mogamis weigh 6,200 tonnes versus the Anzac's 3,810 tonnes.
They travel faster than 30 knots versus 27 knots. They carry four times as many missile cells.
The Mogami needs 92 crew compared to the Anzac's 22 officers and 141 sailors. Eight more Mogamis will be built at Henderson in Western Australia.
Building starts in 2030. The last ship will be ready by 2034.
The new ships are designed for undersea warfare. Military planners believe this is key to keeping Australia's trade routes safe.
- $20 billion
- Total contract value
- 4 times more than Anzac
- Mogami missile cells
- 6,200 tonnes versus 3,810 tonnes
- Mogami weight versus Anzac
- 92 crew versus Anzac's 163
- Mogami crew requirement
Why it mattersA modern surface fleet lets Australia patrol vast ocean areas on its own.
AustraliaThe first Mogamis arrive as Australia's ageing Anzac-class retirements begin, closing a critical gap in Australia's naval capacity through the 2030s.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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