Post by : Badri Ariffin

Australia and Japan have taken a significant leap in their defence relationship with the signing of a historic agreement valued at AU$10 billion (around US$7 billion) for the provision of state-of-the-art warships. This deal represents Japan’s most substantial military export since it lifted its arms export bans in 2014.

The agreement was signed by Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, alongside Japan's Minister of Defence, Shinjiro Koizumi. Both officials reiterated their dedication to ensuring the successful rollout of the warship delivery program while strengthening strategic defence ties.

As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is set to build three advanced multi-mission frigates in Japan, with construction expected to commence in 2029. An additional eight frigates will be produced in Australia, boosting local industry and enhancing national defence production capabilities.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence heralded this agreement as a key milestone in their bilateral relations, underscoring the strengthening security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

This pact aligns with Australia’s broader defence strategy, which aims to raise military expenditure to 3% of its GDP by 2033, up from the current 2%. This move indicates Canberra’s determination to bolster its naval strength in response to shifting regional security concerns.

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