Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles boarded the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s escort ship “Mikuma” on Friday, September 5th. This marks the introduction of the latest Mogami-class ship from Japan that the Australian side’s new fleet will be adopting. The move highlights the increasing military cooperation between Japan and Australia, aimed at balancing China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Accompanied by Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Marles toured the vessel. Last month, Australia officially decided to purchase the “Mogami”-class escort ships produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to replace the aging ANZAC-class warships. Marles stated that the selection of the “Mogami”-class was based on its outstanding performance, emphasizing that this decision is a “significant milestone in the Japan-Australia bilateral relationship.”
This approximately $6.5 billion deal is seen as a vote of confidence in Japan’s defense industry, which is still in a developing stage. Particularly significant is that Japan secured this contract after losing an Australian submarine order to France in 2016.
Nakatani pointed out that the collaboration on the escort ships will strengthen supply chain security between Japan and Australia and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In fact, in recent years, Japan has accelerated its military expansion and is no longer solely relying on its security alliance with the United States but is gradually viewing Australia as a “potential ally.”
Earlier that day, the defense ministers of both countries held a “2+2” security dialogue with Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, committing to expanding joint military exercises and enhancing cooperation on energy and critical minerals. They also reiterated the importance of collaborating with the United States and expressed serious concerns about China’s assertiveness in the region.
During the bilateral foreign ministers’ meeting, Iwaya and Wong signed an agreement aimed at strengthening both countries’ ability to coordinate the evacuation of their nationals in emergencies overseas.
The Japanese government, along with Mitsubishi and other contractors, is actively promoting the escort ship project. According to the plan, Australia is set to procure a total of 11 Mogami-class escort ships, with the initial three to be built by Japan, and the first escort ship expected to be delivered as early as 2029.
Since the enactment of the “Reciprocal Access Agreement” between Japan and Australia in 2023, they have been able to deploy forces more rapidly and advance joint training and disaster relief cooperation. Marles expressed that “today our strategic alignment with Japan is higher than with any other country.”
As the 50th anniversary of the “Japan-Australia Agreement on Mutual Cooperation” approaches next year, Marles stated that both sides are “elevating the relationship to a new level” and are committed to deepening their “special strategic partnership.”
(Adapted from reporting by The Associated Press)