New Zealand intends to make a decision by the end of 2027 regarding the potential acquisition of Japan's Mogami-class warships to replace its aging frigates. Defense Minister Chris Penk stated in an interview at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore that the government is conducting due diligence on two down-selected options: Japan's Mogami class and the U.K.'s Type 31 frigate. A key consideration in this deliberation is the importance of interoperability with Australia. The current New Zealand Navy frigates, both commissioned in the late 1990s, are projected to reach the end of their operational service in the mid-2030s.