Japan eyes Mogami frigate export to NZ, 3-way defense talks with Australia

TOKYO - Japan is preparing to launch talks on exporting its advanced Mogami-class frigate to New Zealand, and the issue will be discussed when the defense chiefs of the two countries and Australia meet in late May, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

The potential export of the highly stealthy Japanese defense ship would boost interoperability among the forces of Japan, New Zealand and Australia amid China's maritime assertiveness, as Tokyo and Canberra have decided to jointly develop a next-generation Australian frigate based on the Mogami-class design.