Japan has struggled to export cutting-edge defense equipment. However, past disappointments have been turned on their head after Japan won selection for a lucrative Australian frigate requirement worth up to US$6.5 billion.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries won a multi-billion dollar deal to build a fleet of advanced naval frigates for Australia, boosting Tokyo’s ambitions to become a major exporter of military equipment and develop its defense sector.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will deliver Australia's new A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) navy frigate programme, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday. The frigate contract,