"Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles stated, 'Our surface fleet is more important than at any time in decades. These general-purpose frigates will help secure our maritime trade routes and northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.'"
"Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro remarked, 'Closer defence coordination is becoming more important as Australia and Japan face an increasingly severe security environment.'"
Australia and Japan have signed a $7bn defence deal for 11 warships, enhancing military cooperation amid shared concerns over China's rise. The first three Mogami-class warships will be built by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Australia's Austal. The first delivery is expected in 2029. Australia's Defence Minister emphasized the importance of the surface fleet for securing maritime trade routes. Japan's Defence Minister noted the need for closer coordination due to a worsening security environment. Australia plans to increase military spending significantly over the next decade.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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