Japan briefs Australia on frigate for export
The Japanese government held a briefing for Australian political and business leaders on Monday regarding an upgraded version of the Mogami-class frigate that Tokyo aims to export to Australia.
In the session, held in Canberra, Japanese participants highlighted that the upgraded version can be mounted with equipment compatible with that of the US military and will thus improve the interoperability among Australia, the United States and Japan.
Australia plans to build 11 frigates at an estimated cost of 10 billion Australian dollars. For the type of frigate, the country is expected to choose between the upgraded Mogami and a German frigate by year-end.
Takeshi Ishikawa, commissioner of the Japanese Defence Ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, said in the briefing that missile and other systems used by the US military can be installed on the upgraded Mogami.
Strengthening trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States, and Australia will contribute to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Ishikawa also said.
He added that the upgraded version requires some 90 crew members, about half the size conventionally needed for a similar ship, making it possible to reduce costs equivalent to 30 per cent of the hull's price.
Other participants included officials from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., including Chairman Seiji Izumisawa.
Last year, the Japanese government established a public-private joint committee to engage in activities to win the Australian frigate deal.
Earlier this year, the Maritime Self-Defence Force dispatched the Noshiro and Yahagi, both Mogami-class frigates, to Australia.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
