Japan's Oki Electric Industry (OKI) has signed a supply contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for towed passive sonar and related equipment to be installed on Australia's new general-purpose frigates.
As informed, the contract covers equipment for the first three vessels in the fleet of eleven new general-purpose frigates planned by the Australian government.
OKI has been engaged in the development of underwater acoustic technologies for over 90 years. The company has designed and manufactured underwater acoustic sensors and related equipment, primarily for defense applications. For sonar systems used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, OKI provides comprehensive support throughout the product lifecycle, from design to maintenance. This marks OKI's first overseas transfer of defense equipment.
In August 2025, the Australian government selected Japan's improved Mogami-class frigate, known as the "06FFM," an upgraded version of the Mogami-class frigate, for its new General Purpose Frigate program.
The upgraded Mogami-class frigate will have a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles and a 32-cell vertical launch system (VLS). It will be equipped with surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, crewed by 92 Royal Australian Navy sailors and officers, and capable of operating the navy’s MH-60R Seahawk maritime combat helicopter.
The decision to acquire upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigates aligns with the Australian Government’s commitment to more than double the size of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, following the 2024 independent analysis of the fleet.