Japan has struggled to export cutting-edge defense equipment. However, past disappointments have been turned on their head after Japan won selection for a lucrative Australian frigate requirement worth up to US$6.5 billion.

With its shortlisting confirmed by Canberra on Aug. 5, Japan’s Ministry of Defense immediately tweeted that “we welcome this decision as it marks a major step toward elevating our security cooperation as ‘Special Strategic Partner’ to even greater heights.”

The Royal Australian Navy – or RAN for short – plans to procure 11 well-armed upgraded Mogami-class frigates. The Japanese platform emerged the victor after a fierce contest with the MEKO A-200 frigate from Germany.

“Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class fri

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