1. On the occasion of the Defence Ministers’ Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, and Minister of Defense of Japan, H.E. Koizumi Shinjiro met in Melbourne, Australia on this 18th day of April 2026. The Ministers celebrated the finalisation of contracts for Australia’s first three general purpose frigates as a significant milestone in this important program.
2. The Ministers noted that cooperation on the upgraded Mogami class frigate capability reflected the depth of our partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum and, through continued close cooperation between the public and private sectors of both countries, working together toward the delivery of the first three Royal Australian Navy general purpose frigates. They reaffirmed Japan’s support for the establishment of a sustainment base and shipbuilding capability in Australia.
3. Recognising this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the Ministers reaffirmed their intent to build on this historic achievement in further strengthening the Australia-Japan defence partnership, including through closer industrial cooperation on priority capabilities that can enhance interoperability to support peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.
【Signed in Melbourne, on the 18th of April, 2026, in the English and Japanese languages, both languages having equal value.】
______________________________ ______________________________
Hon. Richard Marles MP H.E. Koizumi Shinjiro
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
Minister for Defence
Australia Japan