In a landmark defense deal that could reshape the Pacific’s strategic balance, Australia has announced a $6.5 billion agreement to purchase 11 cutting-edge Mogami-class frigates from Japan. Defense experts say the stealth warships — boasting advanced weaponry, long-range capability, and elite maritime technology — match or even surpass the naval power of China and the United States in key areas.

The move marks one of the largest arms sales in Japan’s modern history and cements Tokyo’s role as an emerging heavyweight in the global defense export market. Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy hailed the deal as “another step towards delivering a much larger and more lethal navy,” designed to reassure allies and deter adversaries in an increasingly contested Pacific.

Australia’s naval expansion comes amid growing tensions with China, heightened earlier this year when a Chinese naval task force circumnavigated the continent and conducted live-fire exercises off Australian shores. The maneuvers forced passenger planes to reroute and underscored Beijing’s growing maritime assertiveness.

More Power, More Range

The upgraded Mogami-class frigates — larger than the Japanese versions already in service — will boast an unrefueled range of roughly 11,500 miles, nearly half the planet’s circumference. Each vessel will be armed with 32 Mk 41 vertical launch cells capable of firing up to 128 air-defense missiles, quadrupling the firepower of Australia’s current ANZAC-class ships. Analysts note the launch systems could also accommodate Tomahawk cruise missiles, extending strike capability up to 1,000 miles.

The frigates’ versatility extends to anti-submarine warfare. The Mk 41 cells can deploy long-range anti-submarine rockets, while advanced sonar — potentially superior to rival systems — could give Australian crews an edge in detecting and tracking elusive nuclear-powered submarines.

Efficient, Stealthy, and Crew-Friendly

A hallmark of the Mogami design is efficiency: each ship requires only 90 crew members, compared to the 170 needed for Australia’s ANZAC-class. That’s a major advantage for countries facing recruitment challenges, allowing them to operate more ships without overburdening personnel.

“They’re bigger, stealthier, and deadlier — with fewer sailors needed to run them,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told reporters.

Edge Over China — and Even the US

Experts say the Mogami class holds a slight technological advantage over China’s Type 054B frigate, particularly in air defense and combat systems. Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, called it “slightly superior,” while Professor Alessio Patalano of King’s College London praised its stealth, modularity, and competitive price.

The comparison doesn’t stop at China. Washington’s own next-generation Constellation-class frigates are years behind schedule and may not match the Mogami’s capabilities, according to Schuster. “In my opinion, it is superior to the Constellation class,” he said.

Japan’s Arms Export Pivot

For decades after World War II, Japan maintained strict bans on arms exports. But in recent years, those restrictions have loosened, allowing sales of surveillance, reconnaissance, and even lethal weaponry abroad. The Australia deal eclipses previous sales, including Patriot missile interceptors to the US and surveillance radars to the Philippines.

Under the agreement, the first three frigates will be built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the remaining eight constructed in Australian shipyards — transferring not just ships but shipbuilding know-how. If successful, analysts say, Japan could quickly rise into the ranks of major global arms exporters.

Strategic Implications

The frigate deal comes alongside Australia’s AUKUS commitments with the US and UK, including plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Together, these programs are expected to generate 10,000 defense jobs in Australia.

For Japan, it’s a symbolic return to global naval prominence. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — the builder of the Mogami — was once responsible for the Imperial Japanese Navy’s legendary battleships Yamato and Musashi. Now, instead of war-era leviathans, it’s producing stealth warships for a 21st-century maritime chess game.

By 2029, when the first of the Australian Mogami-class ships is expected to be operational, the Pacific may look very different — with Japan and Australia sailing side by side, better armed than ever, in waters where China’s dominance is no longer a given.