Christen Civiletto on Thundering Waters: The Toxic Legacy of Niagara Falls 
Khazak President Tokayev’s Influence may extend beyond his Term 
Philippines Pushes back as China narrative on Batanes Grows Japan and Australia said on Saturday they have finalised contracts to jointly deliver the first three of 11 ships for the Australian navy based on the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate, as the two countries deepen their defence cooperation amid China’s growing assertiveness.
The deal, announced by Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Melbourne, comes ahead of Japan’s planned easing of its rules on defence equipment exports, which place strict limits on the export of weapons with lethal capabilities.
Currently such exports are only allowed if they are part of a joint development and production project.
Advertisement
The three vessels will be built in Japan, with Marles saying at a joint press conference aboard the Mogami-class Kumano frigate after the talks that the first one is scheduled to be delivered to Australia in December 2029.
The government of Australia, viewed by Japan as a “quasi-ally” and a key partner in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, said it will invest up to AU$20 billion (US$14.4 billion) over 10 years on the development of the new fleet.
The ministers, who previously met in Tokyo on April 8, also signed a document pledging close coordination to ensure the project proceeds smoothly.
Don't Miss:
-
US says China ‘on track’ to fulfil farm purchases ahead of Xi’s Washington visit
-
Susquehanna latest to pick up larger office space in Hong Kong’s Central, sources say
-
Tate brothers lose bid for release from US jail pending extradition fight
-
Once sidelined, China stands ready to broker another Trump-Kim handshake
-
US sanctions Chinese-language Xinbi Guarantee marketplace over cyber scams