Far from the halting and haphazard pitch to sell us submarines a decade ago, Japan has lifted its game in its bid to convince Australian decision-makers our new General Purpose frigate should be Mitsubishi’s Mogami.
In an event in Canberra on the eve of parliament resuming, the head of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Seiji Izumisawa said MHI had already established a strong foundation of cooperation with Australia.
“We now look to strengthen and grow this relationship in the area of defence and space. Japan and Australia are like-minded countries that can contribute greatly to the prosperity of the region and world through greater cooperation in a range of fields,” he said.
“This is becoming more and more important as the global security environment becomes less stable. By harnessing our respective strengths and working together, we can make a positive contribution to stability in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Vice President for MHI’s defence and space segment Masayuki Eguchi said MHI was producing two Mogamis per year at its two shipyards, with eight so far delivered to the Japanese Navy, all on schedule and on budget. Each needs a crew of just 90, under half the personnel aboard legacy warships.
Mogamis were designed for a 40-year life of type, around a decade longer than legacy designs.
He said the upgraded Mogami was the basis of MHI’s bid for Australia.
“MHI can be a big partner for Australia. You know that we lost the submarine program six or seven years ago, but we will never give up,” he said.
Under Project Sea 3000, Australia is set to acquire 11 General Purpose Frigates, which, with the Hunter-class frigates, will replace the Navy’s ageing Anzac-class frigates.
From four contenders, there are now two, Japan’s Upgraded Mogami (or the newer FFM) and the German TKMS Meko A-200 design. To speed their entry to service, the first three will be constructed in the victor’s home shipyard, with the rest in Western Australia.
A decision is expected by the end of this year, with the first to enter service by 2030.
Japan has yet to sell Australia any defence equipment, a legacy of its pacifist constitution, though that has changed in recent years.
In 2014, Japan’s Soryu-class conventionally powered submarines emerged as a contender to replace Australia’s Collins-class boats.
Never having exported any defence technology let alone equipment as complex as a submarine, Japan’s campaign to sell us Soryu was lacklustre, overshadowed by the other two contenders, TKMS of Germany and France’s DCNS, later Naval Group, the ultimate winner.
Takeshi Ishikawa, Commissioner of the Japanese Defence Ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), said the Japanese government, ministries including ATLA and defence companies including MHI were working together as one team to sell Mogami to Australia.
“Strengthening the cooperation between us as special strategic partner becomes more and more important to ensure peace and stability,” he said.
“If the Mogami-class is built in Western Australia, it will certainly enhance our interoperability through shared operations, maintenance and supply system.”
He acknowledged that Japan lacked the experience of transfer of defence technology of other companies but said MHI did have an extensive track record of exporting technology to the US.
Opening the presentation, Japan’s Ambassador to Australian Kazuhiro Suzuki said supporting Japanese industry was an important part of his job, working across many sectors helping Japanese companies build strong partnerships with Australia.
MHI already has a significant presence in Australia, with its air conditioners in many homes and business. Mitsubishi Motors, along with MHI, is part of the larger Mitsubishi group.
“MHI also plays a major role in Japan’s defence sector, with decades of making contributions to our national security. Its excellence is clear, whether in assembling F-35 fighter jets, maintaining US military assets or delivering high quality equipment to our self-defence forces,” he said.
Historically Japan’s post-WW2 constitution barred defence exports but that began to change under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Ambassador Suzuki said Japan’s National Security Strategy revised in 2022, now supported international collaboration including transfer of defence equipment and technology.
“That is why Japan, with full government backing, is bidding for Australia’s General Purpose Frigate project, led by MHI and a team of 12 top tier Japanese companies,” he said.
What would be the reaction if Japan lost, again, he was asked.
“I am not a defeatist. I believe strongly in the strengths of Japan’s proposal. Even if we were to lose, this is just one procurement case and the Japan-Australia relationship will not be affected, whatever the outcome,” he said.