“We do have a very close strategic alignment with Japan.”

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was awarded the tender over Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

“This represents Japan’s most significant defense export agreement with a non-U.S. ally since 1945,” stated Yee Kuang Heng from the University of Tokyo’s Security Studies Unit.

“It marks only the second instance since Japan relaxed its defense export policies in 2014, which previously resulted in exporting air surveillance radar to the Philippines.”

According to AFP, Heng said the deal was a “massive shot in the arm” for Japan as it sought to strengthen its defence manufacturing industry.

Three frigates will be constructed in Japan, with the first expected to be ready for use in Australia by 2030, while the other eight are planned to be built in Australia.

AFP contributed to this story