The Royal Australian Navy's upcoming fleet of Mogami-class ships will be powered by advanced marine gas turbines as part of a $7.1 billion modernization effort.
Category: Politics
Canberra has selected Rolls-Royce to supply its MT30 marine gas turbines for the Royal Australian Navy’s upcoming Mogami-class frigates, which will support a fleet of up to 11 vessels under a 10-billion Australian dollar ($7.1 billion) program with Japan. This decision marks a key step in Australia’s naval modernization efforts, following its choice last year to adopt Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class design to replace its existing general-purpose frigates.
The MT30 gas turbine is integral to the propulsion system of Japan's own Mogami warships, where it operates in conjunction with twin diesel engines to achieve a combined output of 70,000 horsepower. This configuration allows the ships to reach speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 kilometers/35 miles per hour). The Royal Australian Navy will utilize the same propulsion system for its variant of the platform.
In addition to the MT30 turbine, Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems segment will provide mtu Series 4000-based diesel generator sets for onboard power, delivered through its licensed partner, Daihatsu Infinearth. This comprehensive approach ensures that the new frigates will have the necessary power for various ship systems.
The first three frigates are set to be constructed in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the initial vessel expected to be delivered in 2029 and entering service in 2030. This timeline reflects a commitment to modernize the Royal Australian Navy’s capabilities in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
Rolls-Royce’s MT30 engine is already in service with several allied navies, including the United States Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ships and Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers, as well as the UK Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and City-class (Type 26) frigates. The Republic of Korea Navy also employs the MT30 in its Daegu-class and Chungnam-class frigates, underscoring the engine's reliability and performance.
According to Rolls-Royce, the MT30 is recognized as the world’s most power-dense marine gas turbine currently in service, providing strong performance margins, design flexibility, and long-term efficiency. This capability is particularly relevant as navies worldwide seek to balance power needs with operational efficiency.
As Australia moves forward with its naval modernization plan, the integration of the MT30 turbine into the Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates under a separate program linked to the AUKUS framework will provide greater commonality across its major surface fleet. This alignment is expected to facilitate maintenance and operational interoperability among the navy’s vessels.
Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce Defence, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "For over 100 years, Rolls-Royce has been an integral partner delivering power and propulsion to Australia for air, land, and sea. We are delighted to continue this long-standing partnership by powering their new general-purpose frigates with our MT30 engine. We are pleased to support this collaboration between two nations that are combining capabilities to strengthen security across the region." This sentiment reflects a broader commitment to enhancing defense collaboration between Australia and Japan.
With the first frigate set to begin construction soon, the stakes are high for both nations as they aim to bolster their maritime capabilities in response to regional security challenges. The delivery of these vessels will modernize Australia’s naval fleet and strengthen ties with Japan, a key ally in the Asia-Pacific region.
In light of these developments, the Royal Australian Navy is positioned to take a leading role in regional security efforts, leveraging advanced technologies like the MT30 turbine to maintain a strategic edge in maritime operations. The first of the new Mogami-class frigates is expected to be operational by 2030, marking a new era in Australia’s naval capabilities.