Japan and Australia have finalized a significant defense agreement, with Japan set to provide Australia's navy with its first advanced stealth frigates. The deal, valued at AU$10 billion (US$6 billion) over ten years, will see Australia acquire nearly a dozen of these state-of-the-art vessels.
This strategic acquisition is part of a broader military expansion by Canberra aimed at enhancing its long-range defense capabilities and deterring regional aggression. The first three ships are expected under the contract, marking the fastest peacetime acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy. The Mogami-class frigates are highly advanced, equipped with a powerful suite of weaponry.
This collaboration underscores deepening security ties between Japan and its US allies in the Asia-Pacific, a region marked by increasing geopolitical tensions.