The Japanese government has entered full-scale negotiations with New Zealand over the export of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest Mogami-class frigates. With Australia already having adopted the Mogami-class, the three nations are set to strengthen their military alliance through a shared vessel platform — a move seen as aimed at countering China, which has projected its military power as far as the South Pacific.
According to Kyodo News on Friday, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will hold trilateral talks with New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles to discuss the frigate exports on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) being held in Singapore from the 29th to the 31st of this month. Australia decided last year to acquire 11 Mogami-class frigates as new vessels for its navy. At the time, South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean were among the competitors. Australia's new frigates will be jointly developed with Japan and are scheduled to be delivered to the Australian Navy in December 2029.
New Zealand has shortlisted the Mogami-class and Britain's Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates as candidates to replace its aging Anzac-class frigates. Japan and Australia are reportedly seeking to steer New Zealand toward adopting the Mogami-class. Japan also plans to consider concluding a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with New Zealand.
"If New Zealand adopts the Mogami-class as its next frigate, improvements in interoperability among the navies of Japan, Australia and New Zealand can be expected," Kyodo News reported. "There is also an intention to keep China in check, as it has been militarily active in the Indo-Pacific region." In February last year, the Chinese military raised tensions by conducting live-fire drills in international waters between New Zealand and Australia.
The Japanese government revised its Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment last month, lowering the threshold for exporting lethal weapons. Since then, in addition to Australia and New Zealand, Japan has been holding working-level talks with the Philippines on exporting used Abukuma-class frigates.
