Australia down-selects two shipbuilders for multi-billion dollar frigate program

The Albanese Government has down-selected two shipbuilders, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), to progress designs for Australia’s future general-purpose frigates.

As disclosed, defense will now work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Australian industry partners to further develop the proposals for the Mogami and MEKO A-200 frigates. 

The 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 compared with the former government’s plan.

Australia’s new general-purpose frigates will replace the Anzac class frigates and will be equipped for undersea warfare and local air defense in order to secure maritime trade routes and our northern approaches.

The first three general purpose frigates will be built offshore and, successful and timely consolidation of the Henderson precinct will enable the remainder of the build to be constructed locally at Henderson.

Defense will engage closely with the down-selected shipbuilders to progress this program and ensure Australia’s first general purpose frigate is delivered this decade. 

The decision to progress the Mogami and MEKO A-200 designs was informed by “a rigorous evaluation” that identified these designs as likely to best meet Australia’s capability requirements, according to the officials.

“Navy’s future fleet will constitute the largest number of surface combatants since World War Two, and will be integral to ensuring the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and maritime trade,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

“This program is moving at pace to ensure the Navy is equipped with the ships it needs to keep Australians safe. The rapid, accelerated work of the general purpose frigate program to date underpins the next stages of the acquisition to ensure this capability is delivered this decade, providing our Navy with enhanced anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities,” Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy stated.