Bangkok, Aug 5 (EFE).- The Australian government on Tuesday announced the acquisition of 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan\u2019s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in a deal valued at approximately US$6.4 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The purchase of these warships, first delivery scheduled for 2029, is part of the restructuring of the Australian armed forces to prioritize long-range attack and defense capabilities, amid the growing expansion of China in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, we are taking another step towards delivering a much larger and more lethal Navy, with stealth frigates that will reassure our allies and deter our adversaries,” Defense Industry Minister Pat Convoy said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The frigates have a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32 Cell Vertical Launch System, and are fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles, the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The upgraded Mogami-class frigate will help secure our maritime trade routes and our northern approaches as part of a larger and more lethal naval surface combatant fleet,” Defense Minister Richard Marles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a subsequent press conference, Marles valued the acquisition at $AU10 billion (about $6.4 billion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia plans to gradually increase its defense spending to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product, a figure lower than the US demand of 3.5 percent. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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