Australia and Japan have formalised contracts for the first three of 11 next-generation frigates under a landmark $7 billion defence deal, with defence ministers from both countries signing the agreement in Melbourne on Saturday. Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will construct three Mogami-class stealth frigates in Nagasaki, while Australian shipbuilder Austal will build eight in Western Australia, with the first vessel due to enter service in 2030. The deal, underpinned by a new "Mogami Memorandum" pledging deeper military-industrial cooperation, reflects growing security alignment between the two US allies as both nations express concern over China's expanding regional influence.