Indo Pacific 2025: Japan, New Zealand begin talks on potential frigates acquisition

The JMSDF's second Mogami-class frigate JS Kumano seen here, while it was at Changi Naval Base. New Zealand is in talks for a possible acquisition of an improved variant of the ship. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Japan and New Zealand have begun government-to-government talks on the improved Mogami-class frigate and how it might fulfil the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN's) requirements.

A representative from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) who spoke to Janes at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025 on 4 November in Sydney confirmed that the talks centre around the frigate's capabilities and a potential acquisition.

Confirmation of the government-to-government discussions comes on the back of a statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 2 November.

In the statement, which was issued after the meeting between Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi and his New Zealand counterpart Judith Collins in Malaysia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Japanese MoD said that Tokyo is aware of “New Zealand's intention to replace their naval frigates and agreed to remain in close communication going forward”.

Meanwhile in response to questions from Janes, a spokesperson from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) clarified that while there was also a discussion between the RNZN's Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding and Koizumi on the Mogami-class frigate, among other topics, no decisions have been made.

“As outlined in New Zealand's 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP), most of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet will reach their end of life by the mid-2030s, which is why a maritime fleet renewal programme has been established,” the NZDF spokesperson said in a reply that was issued just ahead the Indo Pacific 2025.