On November 28, the Japanese Cabinet Office released a document approving the sale of Mogami-class frigates to Australia. Given the limitations placed on arms sales by the Japanese constitution, this marks an important step forward in the process for SEA 3000. The other competitor is ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems from Germany, which is offering two MEKO designs.
The declaration refers to both the construction of ships in Japan and the subsequent relocation of the project to Western Australia. Translated from Japanese, the text reads in part:
“Japan has been providing the necessary information at the request of the Australian government and in November 2024 the Australian government narrowed down to two ship candidates as a result of the information provided, and one of them is the “Mogami” type.
“The Reiwa 6 (year 2024) type escort ship (4,800 ton type), which is the capacity improvement type of the escort ship, was selected.
“In the future, the Australian government is expected to decide which ships to be procured in the next general-purpose frigate program after consultation with the proposing countries of ship candidates, including Japan, but if Japan is selected, Australia’s next general purpose frigate development and production (hereinafter referred to as “joint development and production of this case”) will be implemented in Australia, and the finished products, etc will be relocated to Australia.”
The document explains that in accordance with Japan’s National Defence Strategy, a close relationship will be established with Australia, second only to Japan-U.S. cooperation. This means that Australia will be elevated to the position of “special strategic partner” in the Indo-Pacific. It continues:
“Based on such a such a policy, the joint development and production of this case will contribute to a significant improvement in interoperability and compatibility with Australia, as well as strengthening the shipbuilding and maintenance infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region and improving the capacity of our ships in the future and is of great significance to the country’s security.”
It continues that when construction is transferred to Australia it will be to a company mandated by the Australian government and therefore “the certainty of proper management is high.” The declaration also explains that there are no legal impediments to the sale, though it refers to the need for future permits necessary under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of Showa 24).
It concludes with a summary of the capabilities of the Mogami FFM, which is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries:
“06FFM is engaged in continuous and multi-layered information collection and surveillance activities in the surrounding sea areas from time to time and conducts international peace cooperation activities overseas”
The statement says that the frigates can be used for various activities such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare and anti-air warfare “in case of emergency”. The final sentence reads:
“In addition, it is a multi-purpose escort ship that has been equipped with long-range missiles and enhanced anti-submarine warfare functions from the “Mogami”-type escort ship, which was previously only responsible for anti-aircraft (and) mine warfare functions.”
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So the statement “The Reiwa 6 (year 2024) type escort ship (4,800 ton type), which is the capacity improvement type of the escort ship, was selected” means the Upgraded FFM was the down selected option from MHI.
There is an image comparing the “Upgraded FFM” displacement 4,880t and standard Mogami is 3900t.
I’ve noticed the same thing.
I honestly don’t understand why they pretend that there was any sort of competition to start with. The Japanese ship was what the Politicians wanted and that is what we going to get. They have kept ignoring their own parameters to include the Mogami class and the fact that the Japanese Parliament has now agreed to sell them to us ( despite the fact that no official decision has been made) smacks of another Government Sham.
The auto translation presents some interesting information.
“The Reiwa 6 (year 2024) type escort ship (4,800 ton type), which is the capacity improvement type of the escort ship, was selected.”
The Mogami class has a light ship weight of 3,900t and full load weight of 5,500t. The New FFM however is listed as being 4,800t light ship weight with a full load weight of 6,200t. This would indicate, along with the wording “capacity improvement type” that it’s the New FFM that is being offered to Australia and not the original Mogami class. This is at odds with the silhouette images presented by DoD that suggest it was the original Mogami class on offer.
“It continues that when construction is transferred to Australia it will be to a company mandated by the Australian government and therefore “the certainty of proper management is high.””
Who is going to tell them?
I’m not sure that Japan understands what they are getting themselves into.
“the certainty of proper management is high.”
LOL
That’s absolute gold
All for ramping up alliance driven production and technology transfer with Japan, identify another military industrial complex that can sell Australia quality used conventional subs (Soryu) off the shelf WHEN NOT IF Pillar 1 sinks
It’s remarkable that the ASA – and government – refuse to acknowledge that Virginia class production is slowing down.
It now seems obvious that the ‘no change’ dictum on the future frigate was only ever about taking the decision away from navy and leaving it entirely to the NSC.
Looks like it.
WA have never built anything anywhere near as complex as the Mogami class and the Japanese have never had to administrate an overseas ship building project of this scale. Almost literally a case of the blind leading the blind. Good luck with that.