SINGAPORE — Raytheon’s SeaRAM ship self-defense system has been selected to go on Australia’s Improved Mogami-class frigates, which are being procured through the country’s Project SEA3000 General Purpose Frigate program, the company announced Monday. Improved Mogami-class frigates being built under the country’s Project SEA3000 General Purpose Frigate program, according to a company announcement.
According to the announcement the contract was awarded by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which is building the first three of eleven Australian frigates. Raytheon will supply SeaRAM launchers, Blast Test Vehicles, and technical services to support installation and systems testing under the contract, with deliveries expected to begin in late 2028.
SeaRAM is already fitted on the 12 existing Mogami-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as well as a similar number of 06FFM class frigates being built for Japan, the latter of which the Australian frigates will be based on.
“By integrating SeaRAM on the Royal Australian Navy’s new surface combatants, Australia gains a proven, highly effective terminal air and missile defense layer for its future fleet,” said Barbara Borganovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon.
SeaRAM combines the company’s Phalanx Close In Weapon System with the Rolling Airframe Missile to provide autonomous terminal defense against cruise missiles and other advanced airborne threats.
It is already being operated by 11 countries, including the US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Australia has also selected the SeaRAM for its Hunter-class frigates based on the BAE Type 26 design.
The Royal Australian Navy will replace its existing Anzac-class frigates with the Improved Mogamis. The first three ships will be built in Japan, before work shifts over to Australia’s Henderson Defence Precinct for the final eight vessels.
The Improved Mogami design has also been attracting interest from other countries following Japan’s recent announcement that it is relaxing its arms export laws, with New Zealand’s defense minister Chris Penk announcing that the Improved Mogami is in the running alongside the British Type 31 frigate to replace its two Anzac-class frigates.
