Mitsubishi Heavy Industries secures contract for three upgraded Mogami-class frigates for Australia

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has concluded a contract with the Australian government to build three upgraded Mogami-class frigates under Australia's General Purpose Frigate program. Construction will begin at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, with the first frigate to be handed over by December 2029.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has concluded a contract with the Australian government for the construction of three upgraded Mogami-class frigates for Australia's General Purpose Frigate program, according to an official announcement. In August 2025, Australia selected MHI's upgraded Mogami-class frigate (4,800 ton type) as the preferred platform to proceed to the next stage in the selection process, leading to contract negotiations and now final agreement.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a Japanese industrial and defence company with naval shipbuilding capabilities. Construction will begin at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in cooperation with the Australian government, the Japanese government, and companies involved in building the GPFs. The first completed frigate is scheduled for handover by December 2029.

This development matters for the Asia-Pacific defence industry, where naval modernisation programs are driving cross-border collaboration. The broad-based participation of Japanese and Australian companies in Australia's GPF program is expected to strengthen human resource development in science and technology, as well as the foundations of the defence industry, in both countries.

For the naval shipbuilding sector, the contract represents a significant export win for Japan's defence industry. Stakeholders including Australian and Japanese supply chain partners, technology firms, and naval maintenance providers stand to benefit from the program. Through its Naval Ship & Maritime Systems business, MHI is contributing to the realisation of a safe and secure world.