Shawn C, Journalist/Editor from Singapore and fellow blogger on Submarine Matters, on August 6, 2026 raised a whole range of issues. And see 2. wispywood2344 below. I respond in turn.
Australia, on August 5, 2025, ordered 3 "new FFM" now more commonly called Upgraded Mogami frigates to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Japan. Then 8 will be built at Henderson Shipyard, just south of Perth, Western Australia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogami-class_frigate#Australia
1. Shawn commented and with my additions in [...] brackets:
I think the [Upgraded] Mogami’s, [with 32 Mark 41 VLS] are a very sensible buy for the RAN, and am a little relieved that Australia did not choose the TKMS MEKO [with only 16 VLS].
I had the same misgivings about the [need for 90% redesign and never produced] Naval Group Attack-class [submarines] being chosen over the [already designed and in production] Japanese Soryu-class. Integration of Japanese [electronic] systems and weapons [also interoperable with the US and hence with Australia] should be less convoluted, and the Japanese are far more ‘eager’ to partner Australia and iron out bugs and other issues.
[The Upgraded Mogamis will fortunately be built also for the Japanese Navy. Yet there is a risk Australia may want Australia-only modifications for its Mogamis. Major modifications, like hull redesigns, usually spells years of delay and way overbudget. A quantitative example might be if the Upgraded Mogami design for Australia weighed 300 tonnes (ie. 6,500 tonnes full load) more than the 6.200 tonne full load Upgraded Mogami for the Japanese Navy. See right sidebar for "6.200 tonne" (full load)]
While Henderson, WA, currently does not have a good reputation due to [being caught up in the mainly Australian government caused] debacle of the Arafura-class OPV program,
[The Arafura Program suffered from mission changes. Originally it was really conceived as a, coast guard style, refugee boat interception and accommodation vessel with minimal weapons. Then that mission has largely evaporated. Now commentators wish it had been built as a heavily armed corvette.]
It is still not as ‘bad’ as Australia’s, and ASC’s, screw ups with the Attack-class and Hobart-class, and we can only hope that the Hunter-class program is on track for delivery ‘after 2030’. [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_Navy#Ships_and_equipment ]
The [standard] Mogami-class program is currently in ‘hot’ production, with the 11th unit launched in July, and 12th unit, the final for the JMSDF, in the final stages of construction. This means that the [3 larger Upgraded Mogamis for Australia] could start module production in a matter of months. Common systems - the 127mm gun and Mk 41 VLS, will make it ‘relatively’ easy to integrate with [Australian made] CEA [see] CEAFAR radar and the Saab Australia Aegis combat management system. (I just realised that the CEAFAR, MK41 VLS and 5-inch gun could be recycled from retiring ANZACs) [Maybe, but their electronics may need to be later generation].
Regarding Australian Virginia boats. I really do not think the RAN will get any,
[I agree. Also the new US Chief of Navy, Admiral Daryl Claudie, has stated that low Virginia production implies none for Australia.]
But with a bit of luck (and a lot of $$$) you could see USS Virginia (SSN-774)
[Oh no! An aging sub, only good for 10 more years, with more maintenance down time than younger subs.] and USS Texas (SSN-775) loaned to the RAN after 2030 [same], where they will be in their mid-20s, so will have about ten years left on their reactors. [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia-class_submarine#Boats_in_class ]
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2. wispywood2344, a Japanese researcher/blogger, on August 6, 2025 has kindly provided these excellent 2 videos above and below concerning Australia ordering the Upgraded Mogami frigates. wispywood2344 has been a friend for many years :)
I mentioned to Pete yesterday that the information that the Modified Mogami class (currently referred to as “New FFM” by the Japanese government and media) have been ordered by Japan slipped through my reading glasses.
ReplyDeleteThe first two vessels have been ordered for delivery in 2028. This means that is Australia ‘settles’ on this for the first three, without major hull and engineering modifications for the first three Japanese built boats, they could be delivered by the early 2030s - MHI has recently stated that they can build three of the class each year by outsourcing components to other yards.
It’s very conceivable that once the Australian ships are launched, they can be shipped/sailed to Henderson for systems outfitting.
Pete, have you seen the 1986 Michael Keaton movie “Working Class Man” (“Gung Ho” in the US)? Reckon Henderson will turn out like this when the FFM’s build program starts - a clash between Japanese and Australian (unionised) production methodology.
Thanks Pete, Shawn and wispywood for these useful comments. Like Pete I am pleased about the Mogami decision, especially the following details:
ReplyDelete1. RAN has selected the upgraded Mogami with 32 VLS.
2. RAN has stuck with the plan to buy 11 frigates, despite going for the (20%) costlier option.
3. The Mogami has a 10,000nm range(!) and an autonomous mine warfare capability, which fills another gap in the RAN.
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/sea/japans-mogami-class-proves-out-unmanned-mcm-capabilities
4. Minister Conroy was unusually explicit in making the announcement about minimal changes to meet Australian standards (only).
On this basis I am more confident than many that this program will work. Mitsubishi is a very efficient shipbuilder, and one of the worlds largest. They make ships for overseas customers all the time, including English speaking countries. Their JMSDF warships interact with USN task forces regularly. Mitsubishi aerospace makes F15s under license in Japan, including system integration. They already have good skills in-house in that field.
Hi Shawn at 8/08/2025 9:54 PM
ReplyDeleteIts hoped the first New FFM/Upgraded Mogami for Australia will be commissioned "2030 (planned)" see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_FFM#Ships_of_the_class
but Australia has late overbudget traditions to uphold :)
Henderson has a better On Time And Budget reputation than ASC Osborne.
The Anzac-class frigate program [mainly built at Williamstown, Victoria 1993–2006] was..."delivered on time and on budget." https://www.navy.gov.au/about-navy/history/history-milestones/anzac-class-frigate-acquisition
Cheers Pete
Hi Scott at 8/11/2025 12:00 PM
ReplyDeleteThe orders indeed look like positive sets of Australian decisions, so far.
Good that "4. Minister Conroy [I trust him more than I trust Marles!] was unusually explicit in making the announcement about minimal changes to meet Australian standards (only)."
I too hope that the Mitsubishi Japanese influence on the 11 New FFMs/Upgraded Mogamis for Australia will act as a on-time-and-budget discipline.
Regards Pete
Austral has sold a “sovereign share” to the Australian federal government for its Henderson facilities as part of an agreement for them to build 18 LCMs & 8 heavy LCU.
ReplyDeleteThis could be taken as laying the facilities, supply chain and production procedures for the 8 Australian built Upgraded Mogami, though I seriously doubt they would ever be able to match MHI’s 12 month production efficiency
https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/australia-approves-austal-strategic-shipbuilding-agreement/
Hi Shawn at 8/11/2025 7:55 PM
ReplyDeleteOh deary me! I fear Austral selling a “sovereign share” to the Australian government for its Henderson facilities (for 18 Landing Craft Medium (LCMs) and 8 Landing Craft Heavy) may make Austal more like government owned ASC Osborne!
Under this new arrangement the 8 Australian built Upgraded Mogami might be completed in the mid 2040s.
Cheers Pete
Greetings Pete,
ReplyDeleteI always thought that people who call Singaporeans ‘efficient’ are having a laugh at us, until I lived in Australia for over a decade.
Getting through Australian airport customs and procedures is long, but no where near the inefficiencies of the US and UK - I stay away from Heathrow as much as possible. This is compared to the 10-20 min stroll I take in Singapore, from disembarking from my flight, strolling through immigration (where the processing is a quick scan of my biodata), picking up my check-in luggage and clearing security.
This efficiency translates to government linked corporations, like ST Engineering, which is a public listed company that is majority owned by Singapore’s GIC, so they are profitable, subject to the booms and bust of any global industry, and produce military products for its primary customer (the Singapore Armed Forces) efficiently and mostly on time.
Hi Shawn at 8/13/2025 2:53 PM
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was at Heathrow was in the mid 1980s. My then wife and I were leaving to return to Oz. When giving the airport lady our check through/in the hold luggage lady said indicated she'd put it on the wrong conveyor belt. We objected to this efficiency, so luckily a guy rescued our luggage.
Apparently US Border and Customs have been ordered to get tough on fixed percentages of foreign tourists and even detaining and sending back family reunion cases eg. even the Australian wives of US soldiers. Foreign tourists are "fighting back" by giving Emperor Trump's USA a miss.
I understand Singapore’s GIC is Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, setup in 1981 to manage the country's foreign reserves and achieve long-term investment returns - yet another example of Singapore's efficiency :)
Cheers Pete
Pete, not sure if you have seen this video, based on a USNI Proceedings article. Its good - taking a serious look at the Japan and South Korean sub build industries. The US could learn some things from them. So could we.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQQi6R7CIZ4