A new contract has just been signed under which Japan and Australia will hand over about 11 warships to the Australian Navy as part of a defense deal worth more than $7 billion.
An announcement was also made by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro in Melbourne on Saturday ahead of the signing ceremony.
The deal, called the Mogami Memorandum, aims to create “closer industrial cooperation” with regard to defense as well as deeper military ties between the countries.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is in charge of these 3 stealth frigates from Japan. Al Jazeera And the other side is being managed by Austal of Australia.
First delivery is also planned for 2029, and the ship is scheduled to begin service in 2030.
Australia’s Defense Minister also issued a separate statement reading, “Our surface fleet is more vital than at any time in decades. These general purpose warships will help secure our maritime trade routes and northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.”
It is pertinent to mention that this deal is part of an overhaul to increase the country’s defense budget to about 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2033, a level not seen since World War II.
At The News Digital, our editors combine an understanding of entertainment with global reporting expertise. Expect authoritative coverage of royals, Hollywood and trending topics, as well as clear, credible updates on science, politics, sports and business. We keep it accurate, current and easy to understand, so you can stay ahead.
