The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s newest frigate, the Noshiro, will be deployed to Australia from Feb. 17 to April 3.
The ship is being sent to Australia to improve the JMSDF’s technology and strengthen cooperation with the Australian Navy, Defense Minister Nakatani Gen explained at a press conference on Feb. 12.
Through the exercise, he added, Japan will show that it is working together with Australia, with which it shares fundamental values and strategic interests, to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japanese media pointed out that the Japanese government’s decision to send the frigate to Australia is in line with the Australian government’s plan to acquire a frigate.
Australia is seeking to buy a modern frigate, and last year shortlisted Japanese and German companies.
Japan is seeking to export the frigates as a joint development under the principle of not exporting weapons of mass destruction.
The Noshiro, produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, can be operated with 90 sailors, about half the number of existing frigates, and is equipped with mine-clearing capabilities.
Earlier, Japan has been accelerating the expansion of its maritime self-defense forces. The 10th Mogami-class frigate was launched in December last year. It is a 3,900-ton frigate with a stealth design and is a multipurpose ship capable of anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and mine warfare.
Japan plans to commission 24 ships of the same type by 2028.
