Japan Exports Stealth Frigates to Australia, Signs First Contracts
Japan and Australia signed a contract on Saturday for the first delivery of three stealth frigates from Japan to the Australian Navy. This marks part of Japan's largest defense export deal since World War II.
According to an AFP report from Sydney, this major agreement aims to strengthen Australia's defense in response to China's growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Australian Department of Defense said on Saturday that Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attended the signing ceremony in Melbourne for the initial contract.
According to Japanese media reports, the agreement announced last year stipulates that Australia will purchase 11 stealth frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for $6 billion, making it Japan's largest defense export contract since World War II.
The "Mogami"-class warships produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are advanced stealth frigates equipped with powerful weapon systems. MHI won the bidding competition against German naval systems manufacturer ThyssenKrupp.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: "This is the fastest acquisition project ever completed by the Royal Australian Navy during peacetime." He added, "We are closely collaborating with our industrial partners in Japan and Australia to procure one of the most advanced multi-purpose frigates in the world—possibly the most advanced frigate."
Australia plans to expand its navy fleet from 11 large vessels to 26 over the next decade.
The AFP report noted that Japan is strengthening cooperation with its U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan, Australia, India, and the United States are all members of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) group.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1862851191147528/
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