Landmark Military Sale Expands Security Ties Beyond US Alliance
Australia and Japan have signed contracts for a landmark $7 billion warships deal, marking Tokyo’s most consequential military sale since ending its military trade ban in 2014. The deal involves the supply of three upgraded Mogami class multi-role frigates to be built in Japan, with Australia building eight more. The ships are designed to provide air defense, strike surface ships, and hunt submarines, and will be deployed to protect Australia’s northern approaches to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This development was first reported by Reuters.