CANBERRA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has been awarded the contract to build the Australian navy's new fleet of frigates.
Richard Marles, the minister for defense and deputy prime minister, announced in Canberra on Tuesday that the federal government has selected Japan's upgraded Mogami-class frigate as the preferred option to replace the navy's retiring fleet of Anzac-class frigates.
The first of the three frigates will be built by MHI in Japan, with another eight to be built in Australia.
Marles and Pat Conroy, the minister for defense industry, said in a joint statement that the government is aiming to finalize binding contracts with MHI and the Japanese government in 2026. ■