Germany’s MEKO A-200 is a new version of the Australian Navy’s Anzac frigate. Credit: Wolfgang Fricke / commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons).

Australia has reportedly shortlisted two warship designs for the navy’s A$11bn ($7.24bn) general purpose frigate (GPF) contract, reported ABC News.

The cabinet’s National Security Committee (NSC), after months of deliberation, has narrowed down the options to two designs: Japan’s upgraded Mogami 30FFM and Germany’s MEKO A-200.

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An official announcement on the final choice between the two designs is anticipated within the coming weeks.

This year, plans were unveiled to build up to 11 more heavily armed lighter frigates to replace the ageing Anzac-class fleet of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Construction of the initial three vessels is set to occur overseas before being transferred to Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard.

This comes after the long-serving eponymous lead vessel of the Anzac-class guided missile frigates (FFG) of the RAN was decommissioned after 28 years of operation in May this year.

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For months, Australian Defence has studied offerings from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

Germany’s MEKO A-200 is a new version of the RAN’s Anzac frigate.

It features a modular design that can easily adapt to meet Australian requirements and is expected to be cheaper than Japan’s initial proposed price.

The latest version of the Mogami frigate is considered one of the world’s leading warship designs.  

Earlier this year, RAN chief vice-admiral Mark Hammond commended Japan’s shipbuilding capacity, but many within the service prefer sticking with German-built vessels, with which Australia is already more familiar. 

As part of the SEA 3000 programme, Australia plans to take delivery of its first overseas-built GPF in 2029, with the project budgeted to cost between $7bn and $11bn over the next decade.

It has been nearly 50 years since Australia last built a warship outside of its shipyards. According to defence sources, discussions are underway to potentially build six GPFs overseas.