The Australian government aims to sign binding, commercial contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy and the Japanese government in 2026.

The Australian Government said today that it is accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet with the selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ upgraded Mogami class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates.

Australia says it has accepted a Japanese company's bid for a lucrative and hotly contested contract to build Australian naval vessels, expected to be worth 10 billion Australian dollars ($6.5 billion).