New Zealand Eyes Japan, UK Warships as Frigate Replacements

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at Yokosuka naval base.Photographer: Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool/Getty Images

New Zealand is weighing the purchase of advanced warships from Japan or the UK to modernize its aging fleet and bolster its defense capability.

The South Pacific nation, member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network alongside Australia, the US, the UK and Canada, is focused on Japanese Mogami-class or the UK’s Type 31 frigates.