South Korea and Japan Lead Race for Australia’s New Frigate Fleet
South Korea and Japan are emerging as frontrunners in Australia’s bid to build a new fleet of light frigates, a project valued at over $11 billion. The Albanese government is expected to narrow down its selection soon, with five shipbuilders from four countries competing for the SEA 3000 project, which will replace Australia’s aging Anzac-class warships.
The bidders include South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Spain’s Navantia, and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The initial three frigates are planned to be built overseas, with the first delivered by 2029, before production shifts to Henderson shipyard in Perth. Speculation suggests South Korea and Japan hold an advantage, partly due to strategic ties within the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan and South Korea, seen as essential regional allies, offer distinct capabilities and advantages. Japan has limited experience exporting military technology but benefits from strong collaborations with UK’s BAE Systems and strategic partnerships under AUKUS. South Korea, with robust shipbuilding expertise, has gained recognition after a multi-billion-dollar contract for infantry fighting vehicles. However, the competition is marred by legal issues, with HHI facing allegations of warship technology theft from rival Hanwha Ocean.
Spain’s Navantia and Germany’s TKMS remain contenders, with modular designs adaptable to Australian specifications, like the MEKO A-200’s compatibility with radar and combat systems.
Australia’s Defence Department is keeping details under wraps, but high-level discussions are underway. Defence officials, including Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, are scheduled to visit the four countries to communicate Australia’s preliminary decisions, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to strengthening regional defence capabilities.
Whoever gets the contract must be able to deliver a sound and usable product. Build them here I say. That last Spanish ship the HMAS Canberra has a permanent place in dry dock. It hasn’t been able to stay at sea for more than 2 weeks over the past 12 months. A complete waste of tons of steel and money. This country has the ability to build its own warships and should be doing it. If the Unions are the problem then pull a Chifley on them. Sack the bloody lot and get workers onto the jobs and tools. The only ones against us doing it are the cowering Politicians. They prattle on about not having jobs and then send the work overseas.
The main problem Ken is that rather buy off the shelf, the naval bright sparks want to take a completed design platform and then chop and change it, and when the changes have been made they decide to do it again. It’s part of the Australian military culture, they did to subs, choppers and planes. I don’t think it would make any difference if they built stuff here or not.