Australia to buy 11 advanced warships from Japan: defence minister
Sydney, Australia
Marles said they would replace Australia’s ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class ship to be in service by 2030.
“The Mogami-class frigate is the best frigate for Australia,” said Marles.
“It is a next-generation vessel. It is stealthy. It has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long-range missiles.”
Defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the frigates were capable of launching long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
“The acquisition of these stealth frigates will make our navy a bigger navy, and a more lethal navy,” he said.
Australia announced plans in 2021 to acquire US-designed nuclear-powered submarines, scrapping a years-long plan to develop non-nuclear subs from France.
sft/tym
© Agence France-Presse
