Japan and Germany shortlisted for Australia's next multi-billion-dollar warship program
Germany’s MEKO A-200 is one of two warship designs selected by Australia for its fleet of General Purpose Frigates to replace the Anzac-class.
In short:
Japan and Germany will face off for a massive Australian naval contract after the government shortlisted warship designs from both nations in favour of Spanish and Korean options.
The massive General Purpose Frigate (GPF) project is worth at least $11 billion over the next decade to eventually replace the Anzac-class fleet.
What's next:
A final decision on the winning design will be made next year with the first warship scheduled to be delivered in 2029.
Australia will begin building its next warships in either Germany or Japan after the government narrowed the field of designs for the navy's new fleet of General Purpose Frigates (GPF) in a contract worth $11 billion over the next decade.
This year plans were unveiled to build up to 11 more heavily armed lighter frigates to replace the ageing Anzac-class fleet, with construction of the initial three vessels to occur overseas before transferring to Western Australia's Henderson shipyard.
For months Defence has studied offerings from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
On Thursday evening multiple sources told the ABC that cabinet's National Security Committee (NSC) had this week chosen Japan's upgraded Mogami 30FFM and Germany's MEKO A-200 as the final two designs ahead of a final selection next year.
Germany's MEKO A-200 is a modern version of the navy's Anzac frigate and has a modular design that can easily accommodate possible Australian requirements such as CEA radar and the 9LV combat management system with "minimal change".
The latest version of Mogami frigate is widely considered one of the world's leading warship designs, and although Japan is growing strategically more important for the Australian military, the nation has minimal naval export experience.
Earlier this year Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond praised Japan's shipbuilding capacity, but many others in the service favour sticking with German-built vessels, which Australia is already more familiar with.
Industry sources say the Japanese government has also proposed buying Naval Strike Missiles from a soon-to-be-built factory near Defence Industry Minister' Pat Conroy's electorate if its design is chosen, although the idea has not been confirmed publicly.
Under the massive SEA 3000 program, Australia is hoping to take delivery of the first overseas-built GPF in 2029, with the project budgeted to cost between $7 billion and $11 billion over the next decade. A final bill has not yet been released.
Aside from larger naval platforms such as supply ships and landing helicopter docks, Australia has not built a warship in a foreign yard in almost half a century, and a defence source said initial discussions had begun about potentially building six GPFs overseas.
A senior government source said the Japanese and German designs would be publicly announced "within weeks", and the ABC has learnt senior defence officials will be dispatched to all four nations to formally advise of Australia's decision.
By：ABC(责任编辑：admin)
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