Japan, in its greatest weapons agreement since the Second World War, sells furtive frigates worth $ 6 billion in Australia

Presented as the largest defense export agreement in Japan since the Second World War, Australia will pay $ 6 billion (10 billion Australian dollars) over the next 10 years to acquire the fleet of furtive frigates.

Australia is in the middle of a main military restructuring, strengthening its navy with a long -range firepower in order to dissuade China.

He strives to extend his fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 in the next decade.

“It is clearly the biggest agreement in the defense industry that has ever been concluded between Japan and Australia,” said Marles, praising the agreement.

“This decision was made according to the best capacity for Australia,” he added.

“We have a very close strategic alignment with Japan.”

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries received the call for tenders on Germany Thyssenkrupp marine systems.

Mogami class warships are advanced furtive frigates equipped with a powerful range of weapons.

Marles said they would replace the Australian Australian Fleet of Anzac Class ships, with the first Mogami class ship to be on the water by 2030.

“The Mogami class frigate is the best frigate for Australia,” said Marles.

“It is a new generation ship. It is stealthy. It has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long -range missiles. ”

The agreement also cements an emerging security partnership between Australia and Japan.

Japan deepens cooperation with American allies in the Asia-Pacific region which, like Tokyo, are involved in territorial disputes with China.

Japan and Australia are members of the “Quad” group alongside India and the United States.

Japanese government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday that the agreement was “proof of confidence in high-level technology in our country and the importance of interoperability between Japan’s self-defense forces and the Australian army”.

It was also a “big step towards the elevation of national security cooperation with Australia, which is our special strategic partner,” Hayashi told journalists in Tokyo.

‘More deadly’

The Pacifist Constitution of Japan prevents it from the export of weapons, but in 2024, Tokyo has loosened arms export controls to allow it to stimulate sales abroad.

The Order is the largest defense export agreement in Japan since the Second World War, according to local media.

Defense Minister Pat Conroy said the Mogami class frigates were able to launch long -range tomhawk cruise missiles.

“The acquisition of these furtive frigates will make our navy a greater navy and a deadliest navy,” he said.

The first three Mogami class frigates will be built abroad, said Conroy, with shipyards in Western Australia that should produce the rest.

Australia has announced an agreement to acquire nuclear submarines designed by the United States in 2021, removing a plan of several years to develop non-nuclear submarines from France.

Under the Tripartite Pact of Aukus with the United States and the United Kingdom, the Australian Navy plans to acquire at least three Virginia class submarines within 15 years.

The Aukus submarine program alone could cost the country alone in 235 billion dollars over the next 30 years, according to the Australian government forecasts, a price that has attracted criticism.

The main defense projects in Australia have long been suffering from cost-effects, government half-tours, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for the creation of local jobs than defense.

Australia plans to gradually increase its defense expenses to 2.4% of the gross domestic product – leading to the target of 2% set by its NATO allies, but unless us, the requests of 3.5%.