The reduction from nine to six Hunter-class frigates releases resources for other parts of Australia's fleet. Type 26 offers a very high-end anti-submarine warfare contribution, particularly valuable alongside allies that have invested less in specialist ASW escorts. Concentrating too much of the available money in that capability would leave Australia short of ships and options for other missions. The Mogami purchase fits this interpretation of a broader fleet with more mass. The tradeoff is between strength in a specialist role and the number and variety of ships available.
Chapter · 5:10-5:57
Australia trades Hunter-class depth for fleet breadth
Reducing the Hunter plan from nine to six ships frees resources for fleet mass, with the Mogami purchase fitting that broader approach.