Australia and Japan have signed contracts for the first three of a $6.5 billion fleet of Japanese-designed warships. The agreement, reached on Saturday, April 18, will provide the Royal Australian Navy with the first of almost a dozen stealth frigates.
In total, Tokyo will supply 11 new advanced warships to Australia. This multibillion-dollar deal is intended to modernize the navy and bolster its naval capabilities.
The partnership deepens security ties between the two nations and represents a significant breakthrough in Tokyo's ambitions to become a major player in the global defense market. The agreement further highlights the progress of Japan's defense industry over the past decade.