Japan’s Mogami-class destroyer appears to be pulling ahead in the race to become the next generation of warships for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), in what would be another major deal for Japan’s defence industry just weeks after Tokyo announced it was lifting its long-held ban on weapons exports.

Under its 2025 Defence Capability Plan, the government in Wellington has committed to replacing its two ANZAC-class frigates – launched in the early 1990s – with more capable, modern warships.

The choice has reportedly been narrowed down to either a variant of the Mogami vessel already serving with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force but configured to the RNZN’s specific requirements, or the British-built Type 31 frigate that is due to enter service in 2027 and has already been sold to the navies of Poland and Indonesia.

Analysts say that while both vessels are extremely capable, other considerations will factor into Wellington’s decision.

“The decision likely extends beyond a simple assessment of which one is the better platform,” Joseph Kristanto, a maritime security analyst at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told This Week in Asia.

“Both vessels represent robust general-purpose frigate designs. In fact, one might argue that the Type 31 may offer greater long-term adaptability due to its larger hull and modular design, which will allow it to be more easily upgraded with new sensors and weaponry in the future.”