PARIS, April 18  (V7N) — Japan and Australia on Saturday finalized a landmark defense export deal for nearly a dozen advanced stealth frigates, underscoring deepening security ties in the Asia-Pacific amid rising tensions with China.  

Australia will pay AU$10 billion ($6 billion) over the next decade to acquire the fleet, in what is billed as one of Japan’s largest defense export contracts since World War II.  

Japan’s Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro attended the signing ceremony for the first three ships, Australia’s defence ministry confirmed. “This is the fastest acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy in peacetime,” said Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. He added that the Mogami-class frigates are “among the most advanced general-purpose frigates in the world.”  

Australia aims to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next decade, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries winning the tender over Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.  

The Mogami-class vessels feature stealth technology and a potent weapons array, enhancing Canberra’s long-range firepower. The deal reflects Japan’s push to strengthen defense cooperation with US allies in the region, including Australia, which—like Tokyo—faces territorial disputes with Beijing.  

Both countries are members of the “Quad” security grouping alongside India and the United States.  

END/WD/RH