The defence ministers of Australia and Japan have concluded wide-ranging talks by signing contracts for the first 3 of 11 Mogami-class frigates, to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) at a cost of around AU$10 billion (US$7.4 billion).
The Japanese option was selected last August, beating the German Thyssenkrupp-manufactured TKMS MEKO A-200.
The upgraded frigate has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 kilometres) and a 32-cell Vertical Launch System that stores and launches missiles vertically from below-deck armoured cells.
Unlike older rail-launched systems, VLS enables rapid firing of different missile types (anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface) in any direction without rotating the launcher….
Australia, Japan Finalise Deal for 3 Naval Frigates
