News Defence

Contracts signed for the first three general purpose frigates

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first three ships, based on an upgraded Mogami-class design, with first delivery in 2029.

What happened

  • The first three frigates will be built in Japan; later ships are planned for Henderson, subject to the precinct’s consolidation.
  • The 2026 Integrated Investment Program commits up to A$20 billion over the decade to the program.
  • Each ship is planned for a crew of 92 and a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles.

Why it matters

A new class means new maintenance plans written for Australian conditions, and a chance to specify in-place cleaning of heat exchangers from the start.

SI briefing summarising public reporting by Minister for Defence. Figures are as reported by the source.

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  1. 01At design

    The commissioning scope is right before the specification goes out.

  2. 02In construction

    The flush and fill is programmed off the critical path.

  3. 03At handover

    One certificate. The baseline you keep.