Foreign Media: Australia and Japan Sign $7 Billion Naval Vessel Deal, Deepening Defense Cooperation
On April 18, 2026, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Defence Minister Isao Kawamura signed a contract in Melbourne, officially launching the first batch of orders under a total $7 billion, 11-vessel naval procurement program. The initial three vessels are "Mogami"-class stealth frigates, with three to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki and eight by Australia's ASC in Western Australia. The first ship is expected to be delivered in 2029 and enter service in 2030. At the same time, both sides signed the "Mogami Memorandum," pledging to deepen military and defense industrial collaboration.
This cooperation marks the latest move in strengthening defense ties between the two nations. Australia has committed to record-breaking defense spending of $305 billion over the next decade and plans to raise its defense expenditure as a share of GDP from the current ~2% to 3% by 2033, aiming to restore its navy strength to the highest level since World War II.
Australia and Japan are both among the closest allies of the United States and members of the U.S.-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862905649003716/
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