Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales
Under its 2025 Defence Capability Plan, the government in Wellington has committed to replacing its two ANZAC-class frigates – launched in the early 1990s – with more capable, modern warships.
Analysts say that while both vessels are extremely capable, other considerations will factor into Wellington’s decision.
“The decision likely extends beyond a simple assessment of which one is the better platform,” Joseph Kristanto, a maritime security analyst at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told This Week in Asia.
“Both vessels represent robust general-purpose frigate designs. In fact, one might argue that the Type 31 may offer greater long-term adaptability due to its larger hull and modular design, which will allow it to be more easily upgraded with new sensors and weaponry in the future.”
Source: News - South China Morning Post
