Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) announced on Monday that it has reached a final agreement with Mitsui E&S Holdings Co., Ltd. under which MHI will take over the Naval and Governmental Ships business of Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding is known for its construction and repair of auxiliary ships – such as supply ships and oceanographic survey ships for Japan’s Ministry of Defense – as well as governmental ships such as vessels patrolling local fishing waters.

Japan has become concerned recently by the increased activity of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu Islands and claims as its own. It plans to bolster its naval defense capabilities.

MHI supplies equipment for land, sea and air defense and develops, designs and constructs advanced naval vessels. It also operates maintenance and repair services for naval vessels. In recent years, it has also focused on development of new frigates and destroyers.

In a statement, the company said it “will also actively engage in a broad range of dual-use areas, including cybersecurity products and unmanned systems, helping to realize safe and secure lives for everyone.”