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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Australia has announced it will expand its business activities in Canberra, as the Japanese defence giant pushes to support it's bid for Australia’s next general purpose frigate program.
The Australian subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced the expansion on February 26 to focus on providing support for the frigate program and to strengthen its business network with related agencies and companies.
“MHI-AUS will prioritize measures to respond to requests from the Australian government in a timely manner, including providing flexible sales support, gathering information, and conveying information related to MHI products and services. The Japanese government is fully supportive of MHI's involvement in this project,” according to an official company statement.
“In addition, as defence equipment and technology cooperation between Japan and Australia is progressing, MHI-AUS will promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Australian defence industrial partners to contribute to strengthening Japan-Australia defence cooperation.”
MHI is currently in a two-way battle with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as preferred shipbuilders for the ADF’s next $10 billion fleet of general purpose frigates. Both companies have put forward their respective Mogami and MEKO A-200 frigate designs.
The Australian government is investing up to $55 billion over the decade, including up to $10 billion for the general purpose frigates, as part of a plan that will more than double the size of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Initially proposed as part of the findings of the government’s Independent Analysis of Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet, the general purpose frigates will fulfil the “Tier Two” surface combatant role, providing the Royal Australian Navy with a significant boost to the number of hulls it has in the water, easing the burden on the “Tier One” surface combatants, like the Hobart and future Hunter Class vessels.
Recognising this, the Surface Combatant Review stated the government’s plans to acquire “at least seven, and optimally 11, Tier 2 ships, optimised for undersea warfare, to operate both independently and in conjunction with the Tier 1 ships to secure maritime trade routes, northern approaches and escort military assets. Consistent with the DSR and our terms of reference.”
The proposed fleet of new general purpose frigates will replace the Anzac Class frigates and will be equipped for undersea warfare and local air defence in order to secure maritime trade routes and the nation’s northern approaches.
