Japanese Military Power 2012
July, 2013
Report on Japanese Military Power 2012
China Strategic Culture Promotion Association
V. Weaponry and Equipment
Generally speaking, JSDF expenditure on weaponry acquisition in 2012 maintained the level of the previous year. It also followed the general trend of the recent years, emphasizing the development of naval and air weapons systems. According to Japan's National Defense 2012,the JSDF spent 756.5 billion yen on weapons and systems acquisition, 3% less than that in FY 2011, and accounting for 16% of national defense budget. Among it, ship building cost 172.8 billion yen, which is a rather significant increase from last year, indicating Japan's intention to strengthen its maritime power. Aircraft purchase cost 136 billion yen. In FY 2012, the JSDF spent 102.7 billion yen on equipment R&D, 1% higher than that of last year.
The main characteristics and changes in JSDF weapons development in 2012 are as follows:
A. Strengthening maritime surveillance and deterrence with a focus on preparation for "island invasion". To that end, Japan has deployed FPS-5 radar in Okinawa, and is stepping up R&D of FPS-7 anti-stealth radar. The new generation of radar is significant in that its antenna is fed signals from several feed horns arranged in a vertical stack, making it much better than its predecessors in terms of agility, reconnaissance range and responsiveness. It is considered a pillar equipment for coastal monitoring and surveillance, especially that of the "Southwestern islands". In 2012 Japan also began R&D of two new weapons, one is a new type of torpedo to replace existing torpedoes on Japanese submarines, and the other is the Variable Depth Sonar to improve reconnaissance and anti-submarine operations. Meanwhile, Japan is continuing with the R&D of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). It has also purchased two sets of SSM-1 to enhance anti-ship capabilities. The JMSDF has been commissioning new warships at a planned pace. In March 2012, Destroyer Akizuki, the lead ship of the new Akizuki-class destroyers (with a 5,000-ton displacement), and Submarine Kenryu (with a 2,900-ton displacement) were commissioned. Destroyer Akizuki is a general-purpose destroyer with enhanced Anti-Aircraft Warfare capability. The remaining three ships of the same class, namely, Destroyers Teruzuki, Suzuzuki, and Fuyuzuki will be commissioned respectively in 2013 and 2014. Kenryu is Japan's fourth AIP-equipped submarine, and as Hakuryu which was commissioned last year, it has superior submerged maneuverability and stealth capabilities. According to the 2012 budget, Japan also plans to construct a helicopter carrier with a 19,500-ton displacement to replace the Shirone-class Destroyer Kurama which is to be decommissioned in 2016. In terms of carrier-borne aircraft, the JMSDF purchased 3 MCH-101 minesweeping/transportation helicopters, the largest purchase in recent years, and additional SH-60K anti-submarine helicopters.
B. Continuing to construct anti-missile air defense systems. According to the FY 2012 defense budget, the JSDF will spend 4.1 billion yen on additional PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles, and it will also develop infra-red detectors against new types of cruise missiles. It will upgrade 2 Atago-class Aegis combat systems with SM-3Block II A missile interceptors.
C. Updating conventional equipment for greater rapid response and deployment capabilities. In 2012, in order to speed up the formation of rapid-response units, the JGSDF purchased additional 13 Type 10 tanks to replace Type 90 tanks, and the JGSDF and JASDF together purchased 51 light-armored vehicles. Meanwhile, the JGSDF purchased additional UH-60JAs, CH47-JAs, and AH-64Ds, and appropriated additional fund for the R&D of new multi-functional helicopters to replace UH-1Js the JGSDF are currently equipped with. The JGSDF has also equipped its divisions, brigades, and regiments with the most advanced field communications systems to improve field and special operations capabilities.
D. Enhancing air warfare superiority under current circumstances. Japan has been proactively taking part in international joint production of F-35s, and pushing forward the R&D of ATD-X, a new generation of native stealth fighters. In March 2013, the Japanese government formally announced that domestic defense corporations were allowed to participate in international joint production of F-35s. As new types of fighters are still in the process of R&D, the JADSF focuses on modifying existing fighters to improve its capabilities in air operations and rapid response to
contingencies. Specific modifications include installing new types of radars, Fighter Data Links, Helmet Mounted Displays, and Precision Guided Ammunitions (PGAs).
E. Increasing military investment in space technology. According to the FY 2012 defense budget, Japan will appropriate over 190 billion yen to enhance C4SIR capabilities using space and satellite technologies. Japan also invested 120 billion yen on X-band SATCOM, and planned to launch between 2015 and 2016 two such satellites which can operate for 15 years. Besides, in January 2013, Japan launched IGS-Radar 4 which had been planned to be launched within 2012. As a result, a space reconnaissance and surveillance system composed of two radar satellites and two optical satellites was completed.
It is quite obvious that Japan's weaponry and equipment development in 2012 is intended to strengthen capabilities for maritime, air, space, and anti-missile operations, focusing on cutting-edge technologies, large platforms, rapid response and long-range capabilities. It is evident that Japan is militarily prepared against China, a country described by Japan as a "military threat", among all its neighbors. It is also evident that Japan's military development is tailored for the defense of "Southwestern islands". The purpose of Japanese violations of the Peace Constitution and the postwar regime and its determination to develop weaponry and equipment is therefore self-evident.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
