Ankara: Australia on Tuesday announced that it selected the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate for the Royal Australian Navy under its AU$10 billion ($6.5 billion) program. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said they will now move to the next step of the process with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aiming to sign binding commercial contracts with the company and the Japanese government in 2026.

According to Anadolu Agency, after a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defense Force (ADF). Three ships will be built in Japan, with the first one to be delivered in 2029 and become operational by 2030, while eight others will be manufactured in Australia.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed the Australian government's move and expressed optimism about the future collaboration between the two nations. He stated that Canberra has selected the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy's future general-purpose frigates. Ishiba emphasized the importance of government and industry cooperation in moving toward the conclusion of the contract.