The new FFM which is based on Mogami is also 32 VLS, 127mm and likely room for 16 NSM. And - 90 crew. I think the 90 crew will be hard for the govt to say no to, given manpower constraints. Given that Japan will be building this newer larger version of the Mogami in the next few years, i.e. a hot line (for the first 3 RAN units), I wonder if there is some chance that we end up with it instead of the current Mogami, if the Japan option chosen. Apologies if this link has previously been posted.
Japan will acquire a total of 12 new FFM frigates in five years from 2024 to 2028 at a very high pace, which reflects the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan.
www.navalnews.com
Display at Indopacific 2023 had Mogami floaties in service.
Mogami 8 - March 2025
Mogami 9 - December 2025
Mogami 10 - March 2026
Mogami 11 - December 2026
Mogami 12 - March 2027
-Next 12
FFM 1 - 2027
FFM 2 - 2028
FFM 3 - 2028
FFM 4 - 2029
FFM 5 - 2029
FFM 6 - 2030
FFM 7 - 2030
FFM 8 - 2031
FFM 9 - 2031
FFM 11 - 2032
FFM 12 - 2032
All ships operational 2033.
By the time Australia places an order for the frigates in 2025, Japan would have already cut steel on the new FFM. If the Mogami was selected, the line would have to be restarted 1.5-2 years after the last Mogamis steel was cut.
Going with new FFM, even if cut steel is 2027 instead of 2026, 3 to 5 new FFM would be in service with Japan by the time Australia gets its first at the end of the decade.
The problem with this is an Australian build of 3 would alter the Japanese delivery timeline of 12 boats.