Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LSE:RR.) has secured a key role in Australia’s naval modernisation, with its MT30 marine gas turbine selected to power a new fleet of up to 11 general-purpose frigates. The decision follows Australia’s move last year to adopt Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class design to replace its current vessels.
The Mogami-class already operates with the MT30 in Japanese service, and the Royal Australian Navy has confirmed it will use the same propulsion system for its own ships. The first three frigates will be constructed in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and delivered to Australia, with the initial vessel expected in 2029 and entering service in 2030.
Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes, UK and International at Rolls-Royce Defence, said the company was “delighted to continue this long-standing partnership by powering their new general-purpose frigates with our MT30 engine” and added that Rolls-Royce was “pleased to support this collaboration between two nations that are combining capabilities to enhance the security across the region.”
Alongside the MT30 turbine, the upgraded frigates will feature mtu Series 4000-based diesel generator sets from Rolls-Royce Power Systems, supplied through licensed partner Daihatsu InfinEarth, to provide onboard electrical power for multiple ship systems.
The MT30 engine is designed, assembled and tested at Rolls-Royce’s Bristol facility and is already in use with several navies worldwide. These include the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and Type 26 frigates, the United States Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships and Zumwalt-class destroyers, as well as the Republic of Korea Navy’s Daegu and Chungnam-class frigates.
The same engine is also set to power Australia’s Hunter-class frigates under a separate programme linked to the AUKUS framework, providing greater commonality across the Royal Australian Navy’s major surface fleet.
Rolls-Royce noted that the MT30 is the world’s most power-dense marine gas turbine currently in service, offering strong performance margins, design flexibility and long-term efficiency and reliability.
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