Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel recently gained first-hand exposure to Japan's Mogami-class frigate and a clear view of the advanced capabilities shaping Australia's future surface fleet.
Several personnel embarked on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) frigate JS Kumano before and during Exercise Kakadu, taking part in a rare opportunity to train alongside one of Australia's closest regional partners.
For the embarked RAN team, living and training alongside their Japanese counterparts provided a practical preview of the advanced systems, modular design and mission flexibility that Kumano provides to the JMSDF.
Warrant Officer Jonathan West said working directly with the ship's boatswain's mates was a highlight of the deployment.
"The Japanese boatswain's mates are an exceptional group of professionals and working alongside them has been a genuine privilege," Warrant Officer West said.
"I hope to have the opportunity to serve with them again in the future.
"Embarking on board Kumano gave our sailors a practical understanding of how the JMSDF operate a state-of-the-art frigate with minimal crew."
Commander Christopher Barry said this was important to the RAN, as was improving interoperability with its Japanese partners.
"We were quickly made to feel like a part of team Kumano. Excellent in all respects; Kumano's professionalism strengthened our people-to-people relationships quickly," Commander Barry said.
"Working alongside our regional partners in exercises like Kakadu allows us to build interoperability now, to meet future maritime challenges together."
Exercise Kakadu - which completed its most complex iteration since its inception in 1993 - remains the RAN's premier multilateral training activity.
This year, Australia and 18 partner nations, involving more than 6000 personnel, came together across northern Australia to strengthen regional security partnerships and reinforce a shared commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
'Embarking on board Kumano gave our sailors a practical understanding of how the JMSDF operate a state-of-the-art frigate with minimal crew.'
For the RAN personnel on board Kumano, the exercise offered a daily demonstration of strategic cooperation in action.
"Training side by side with the JMSDF during Exercise Kakadu highlights the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to a stable Indo-Pacific," Commander Barry said.
The Mogami-class frigate proved an ideal platform for Kakadu's demanding program of maritime operational excellence.
Reflecting on the platform, Warrant Officer West said the experience reinforced the relevance of Japan's approach to Australia's future fleet.
"My time on board Kumano was genuinely outstanding," he said.
"The professionalism, capability and teamwork I saw there were first class, and the experience only strengthened my view that the general-purpose frigate will be a tremendous asset to the RAN."
From synchronised manoeuvres to complex serials spanning warfighting, constabulary and humanitarian response operations, the exercise highlighted the breadth of multinational training.
After disembarking in Brisbane, the sailors watched as Kumano continued south to participate in the Kakadu Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour.
Warrant Officer West said the deployment also highlighted the cultural and organisational evolution required as the RAN prepares for its future fleet.
"The general-purpose frigate offers a clear glimpse into the future of the RAN - highly capable, modern and built around a new way of working," he said.
"Spending time with the platform has shown me how Navy culture will need to evolve to operate these vessels effectively, and it's an exciting step forward for our people and our capability."
