Page 61 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017

Regional Focus Asia Pacific

Japan’s new or potential The Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) at a Glance
export markets

ATLA promotes cooperation on defence In December 2016, Japan approved a military budget of roughly €42.68 billion, of
technologies and procurement. Currently, which approximately 2.2% is devoted to R&D, and 15.8% to procurement. The majority
Japan has only a few products available for of spending is allocated to the Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF - 36%), followed by the
export, one of which is the P-1 maritime pa- MSDF (24.6%) and Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF - 23%). The main modernisation areas
trol aircraft (MPA), which has been in JSDF are: ISR, transport, C2, rapid response capabilities to attacks on remote islands (especially
service since March 2013 and is produced air and amphibious), missile defence, space and cyber defence.
by Kawasaki Aerospace Company (part of The GSDF has been developing an Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (its provi-
KHI), which also manufactures the C-2 twin- sional name) based on the Western Area Infantry Regiment. The unit, whose future soldiers
turbofan long-range transport aircraft, which have already participated in the “Iron Fist” exercise in California in February 2017, along-
entered JSDF service in June 2016. There side the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton, will become active in
are indications that Vietnam is considering a March 2018 and be equipped with AAV-7 vehicles.
procurement from Japan of either used P-3Cs
or new P-1s, with the US Navy as a potential tech nologies with India and discussions on the the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
alternative source for the former. Thailand US-2 for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard The Philippine Coast Guard has also commis-
is also believed to be interested in P-1s and have been ongoing since then. Unit cost sioned a third 44m multirole response vessel
New Zealand has reportedly requested infor- appears to be the principle obstacle, although (MRRV) to be delivered by Japan Maritime
mation on both the P-1 and C-2 aircraft po- Japan has reportedly agreed to a decrease of United Corporation (JMUC) in Yokohama
tential replacements for P-3K2s and C-130Hs 10% to U$113 million for 12-18 aircraft. A for transfer in 2018. In total, 10 MRRVs have
respectively. The P-1 has to compete with the contract, which was signalled for the first time been ordered. Meanwhile, Vietnam will have
P-8A POSEIDON, while the C-2 has to con- in mid-2014, is expected soon. Deliveries of the loan of six Japanese patrol vessels.
tend with the A400M, C-17, and KC-390. the US-2s will not only be useful from a mil- It was also rumoured that Japan held some
The P-1, which, in Japan, is a successor to the itary point of view, but will also support the initial talks with the UK regarding the delivery
P-3C ORION, could also be offered to other Indo-Japanese bloc vis-à-vis China, which of P-1s to the RAF as a replacement for its
regional users of P-3s, such as Australia, South has been increasing its presence in the Indian NIMRODs, but ultimately, in November 2015,
Korea, and Taiwan. Ocean and is a long-standing ally of India’s London selected the P-8A.
ShinMaywa Industries manufacture the arch-enemy, Pakistan. Another potential customer was Australia:
US-2 amphibious Short Take-Off and Landing In late March 2017, Japan delivered the In July 2014, both countries signed an agree-
(STOL) aircraft for the Search And Rescue first two of five TC-90 KING AIR advanced ment on further cooperation, which paved the
(SAR), emergency transport, and maritime trainers to the Philippine Navy; the remaining way for joint research on maritime hydro-
surveillance roles. Already in service with three will be delivered by the end of 2017, as dynamics. Tokyo had hoped to convince
the JSDF, the company has yet to secure a per an agreement reached in September 2016. Australia to procure its “Soryu” class diesel-
foreign customer. In December 2015, Japan At the same time, the Japanese Coast Guard electric attack submarines, manufactured by
signed an agreement on the transfer of military handed over a second “Ojika” class vessel to MHI and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation

A Japanese landing craft air cushion (LCAC) lands on Red
Beach as part of the initial offload for Exercise “Dawn Blitz.”

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