New Zealand to decide on Japan’s frigates by end of 2027, defense chief says

**New Zealand to Decide on Japan’s Frigates by End of 2027, Defense Chief Says** New Zealand Defense Minister Chris Penk stated on 12 October 2024 that a decision on acquiring Japanese-designed frigates will be reached by the end of 2027. The announcement was made during a bilateral defense consultation in Wellington, with interoperability alongside Royal Australian Navy platforms cited as a central consideration. Penk emphasized that any future surface combatant choice must align with existing and planned Australian fleet architecture. “Interoperability with Australia remains a non-negotiable requirement for New Zealand’s future frigates,” Penk said in a joint press conference with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

The Procurement Timeline

The 2027 deadline aligns with New Zealand’s updated Defense Capability Plan, released in draft form by the Ministry of Defence in September 2024. The plan identifies the need to replace the two Anzac-class frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, whose service lives are projected to conclude in the early 2030s. Officials have indicated that a government-to-government arrangement with Japan would be evaluated alongside offers from other partners. Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force officials confirmed they have briefed New Zealand on the Mogami-class frigate and its 5,500-tonne successor design. Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has supplied technical data packages under existing information-sharing agreements.

Background on Regional Naval Requirements

New Zealand’s naval surface force currently consists of two Anzac-class frigates, two offshore patrol vessels, and one replenishment vessel. Successive defense white papers since 2010 have stressed the requirement for vessels capable of sustained operations in the South Pacific and Southern Ocean while maintaining compatibility with Five Eyes partners. Australia is procuring six Hunter-class frigates based on the British Type 26 design, with the first ship expected in service by 2032. New Zealand participation in common combat systems, data links, and logistics chains has been discussed since the 2023 Australia–New Zealand Defense Ministers’ meeting in Canberra. Penk noted that Japanese designs under consideration feature Aegis-compatible combat management systems and can be configured with the same tactical data links used by the Royal Australian Navy.

Japanese Export Context

Japan lifted its self-imposed arms export ban in 2014 and has since concluded defense equipment agreements with Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. The Mogami-class program, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United, incorporates modular construction techniques that allow rapid configuration changes. ATLA Director General Masahiro Ishizuka stated in September 2024 that export variants could be delivered with integrated Australian-sourced sensors if requested by the customer. New Zealand officials have visited the Yokohama shipyard twice in 2024 to observe construction of the tenth and eleventh Mogami-class hulls. No contract negotiations have commenced.

Response from Partners

Australian officials welcomed the timeline. Marles said Canberra would continue to share classified information on Hunter-class systems integration. The United States Indo-Pacific Command confirmed it has no objection to New Zealand evaluating Japanese platforms, provided New Zealand maintains its existing intelligence-sharing obligations. The New Zealand Defence Force’s Capability Branch will lead an internal review scheduled to conclude in mid-2026, after which Cabinet will receive a shortlist. Further updates will be provided as the review progresses.

This is Kenji Tanaka for Global1 News, reporting from Tokyo. 🇯🇵