Japan¡¯s successful offer of state-of-the-art warships to Australia is seen as a ¡°model¡± case for the future export of entire military systems, senior defense officials say, as Tokyo eyes Southeast Asian nations as possible destinations.
Australia¡¯s decision to select a Japanese warship for its next frigate class has been ¡°well received across Japanese industry, so we feel this will have positive ramifications and generate momentum as local companies look at the Mogami case as a model,¡± a Defense Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Japan Times.
Canberra plans to buy 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates, choosing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) over Germany¡¯s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as its preferred partner to replace the Australian Navy¡¯s aging Anzac-class warships in what is set to be Tokyo¡¯s largest-ever defense contract. The decision marked a breakthrough for Japan¡¯s defense industry and helped erase memories of Tokyo¡¯s failed submarine bid to Australia in 2016.
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