Japan’s Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjiro (2nd L) speaks with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles (not pictured) during a Defence Ministers’ Meeting at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Melbourne on April 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: AFP Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (April 18, 2026), launching their landmark $10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo’s most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014. Defence Ministers Richard Marles and Shinjiro Koizumi signed a memorandum “reaffirming the Australian and Japanese governments’ shared commitment to the successful delivery” of the warships, Mr. Marles said in a statement. Published – April 18, 2026 03:21 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals opt to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru TVK not relying merely on road campaigns; massive people’s movement under way: Vijay