Australia has struck a landmark deal with Japan to acquire 11 Megami-class frigates for the Navy, costing Australian taxpayers $10 billion. Defence Minister Richard Marles says geopolitical tensions did not play a role in the deal.

Canberra

Australia has entered into a landmark defence agreement with Japan to acquire 11 Megami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. Under the deal, three ships will be constructed in Japan, with the remaining eight to be built at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, generating over 3,000 local jobs over the next decade. The Megami-class frigates, which surpassed Germany's Miko A200 proposal, are larger and require fewer crew than their ANZAC-class predecessors, and are equipped with advanced capabilities including a 40-year hull life and the capacity to fire 128 air defence missiles.

The agreement, valued at $10 billion over ten years, is described as the largest defence industry deal between the two countries. While the exact cost will be finalised when contracts are signed, the partnership is viewed as a significant strategic development in the Pacific, with implications for regional security dynamics. The deal is also expected to prompt a review of Australia's existing Hunter-class frigate program.

Japan wins $10b contract to build warships for Australia

In the arms race to protect the Pacific, Australia has come out swinging. This is clearly the biggest defence industry agreement that will ever have been struck between Japan and Australia. The historic deal will see Australia's Navy receive 11 Megami-class frigates, three will be built in Japan with the first to hit our shores by 2029, ready to roll a year later. With Japan beating out Germany at its proposed Miko A200. This announcement that we are making today is actually being made months ahead of schedule. The Megami-class stealth frigate compared to its predecessor, the ANZAC, is not only bigger but requires less crew. It can also travel up to 10,000 nautical miles, has a hull life of 40 years and is capable of firing 128 air defence missiles. That will make our Navy a bigger Navy and a more lethal Navy. So lethal in fact, experts say we should be all in and ditch the delayed and costly Hunter-class frigates. I don't think there is a credible argument to keep the Hunter frigate program moving with this kind of alternative. The other eight Megami ships will be built in Western Australia's Henderson Defence Precinct, expected to create more than 3,000 local jobs over the next decade. And just how much will this cost taxpayers? $10 billion provides for the capability over the 10 years. The exact price tag won't be revealed until contracts are signed next year. But the pact is about far more than money exchanging hands. This partnership between Japan and Australia is bad news for China. With this defence deal potentially just the start. They make satellites, they make missiles. Beijing is no doubt watching very closely. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

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