Japan and Australia signed contracts Saturday, launching a landmark A$10 Billion ($7 Billion) -deal to supply Australia warships. This is Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending the?military trade ban in 2014.

Marles stated that the Defence Ministers Richard Marles, Shinjiro KOIzumi and the Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Kojizumi had signed a memo "reaffirming their shared commitment" to the delivery of the warships.

The August deal anchors Japan’s move?away from post-war pacifism in order to forge new security ties that go beyond its alliance with the U.S.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will supply the Royal Australian Navy three upgraded Mogami class?multi-role?frigates built in Japan? from 2029. Australia will build eight more frigates.

The Japanese Defence Ministry announced on X Koizumi's and Marles's "welcomed the conclusion of contracts for General Purpose Frigates" and their commitment to strengthening bilateral defense ties at the signing in Melbourne.

Marles stated that contracts were signed for three of the first frigates to be built in Japan before a "transition" is made from a "Japanese build" to an onshore build at the Henderson Shipyard near Perth, Western Australia.

Australia plans to deploy these ships, which are designed to strike surface ships, hunt submarines and provide air defense, to protect its northern approaches to the Indian and Pacific Oceans where China is expanding their military footprint. Sam McKeith, Sydney (Reporting and Editing by William Mallard).

(source: Reuters)