Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will restart a dormant shipbuilding line at a facility in western Japan during fiscal 2027 to construct a new replenishment vessel for Japan's Defense Ministry, the company has announced. The move is part of a broader effort to expand production capacity as demand for naval and commercial vessels rises. The replenishment vessel, which supplies fuel, ammunition and supplies to naval fleets at sea, will be built to meet growing orders from the Defense Ministry. Reactivating the idle line allows Mitsubishi Heavy to add shipbuilding capacity without constructing an entirely new facility, a faster route to meeting near-term defense procurement needs. The decision reflects a wider trend among Japanese shipbuilders responding to increased government defense spending and heightened regional security concerns. As Japan continues to expand its naval capabilities, shipyards are under pressure to accelerate production timelines and secure sufficient capacity for both military and commercial orders. Mitsubishi Heavy has not disclosed the specific location of the dormant line being revived, nor detailed specifications of the new vessel. Further information on the project's scope, cost and delivery schedule is expected as the fiscal 2027 start date approaches.