Armée Japonaise/Japan Self-Defense Forces

Rappel du premier message :

Seguleh I a écrit:

Salut
La constitution japonaise interdit au japon d'avoir des porte-avions. Lorsque leur porte helico amontré un "signe" qu'il pouvait etre utilisé comme porte-aeronefs, cela a provoqué un tolle au parlement. A titre d'exemple, l'exercice de bombardement aerien n'est pas autorisé au japon, d'ou des F-2 qui se sont entrainait en douce a l'etranger... Cf DSI

il me semble que j'ai déjà posté une vidéo montrant un F-2 faire une démonstration de bombardement en public au japon

Citation :

Incident aérien entre des F-15 japonais et des Su-30 chinois


Posté dans Asie-Pacifique, Forces aériennes par Laurent Lagneau Le 06-07-2016



En novembre 2013, la Chine a unilatéralement instauré une zone d’identification et de défense aérienne (Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) englobant des territoires disputés avec le Japon (archipel Senkaku) et la Corée du Nord.

C’est ainsi que, le 17 juin, deux avions chinois de type Su-30, effectuant une « patrouille de routine » dans cette ADIZ, ont été interceptés par des F-15 des forces aériennes d’autodéfense japonaises. Du classique.

Sauf que, à en croire Pékin, les deux F-15 nippons ont cette fois « verrouillé » les Su-30 avec leur radar de conduite de tir. Ces derniers ont « réagi en effectuant des manoeuvres tactiques » pour faire face aux « provocations » des appareils japonais, a expliqué un porte-parole du ministère chinois de la Défense.

À Tokyo, on a démenti cette version des faits mais confirmé que deux F-15 avaient bel et bien décollé en urgence pour intercepter les appareils chinois. En 2015, cela s’est produit à 571 reprises, principalement dans la région de l’archipel Senkaku.

En janvier 2013, les autorités japonaises avaient exigé des excuses de la part de Pékin après un incident de même nature. Une frégate chinoise avait verrouillé son radar de contrôle de tir sur un destroyer nippon qui naviguait dans les eaux internationales.

Quoi qu’il en soit, le ton n’en finit pas de monter entre Pékin et ses voisins, notamment en raison des disputes territoriales en mer de Chine méridionale.

Et Tokyo dit redouter une hausse des incidents dans les jours à venir, c’est à dire à l’approche de la décision de la Cour permanente d’arbitrage de La Haye, laquelle doit se prononcer sur un différend entre la Chine et les Philippines au sujet de l’atoll de Scarborough. D’ailleurs, le gouvernement chinois a d’ores et déjà fait savoir qu’il ne tiendrait pas compte du verdict.

Par ailleurs, le « Global Times », un journal qui suit la ligne éditoriale du « Quotidien du peuple », l’organe de presse officiel du Parti communiste chinois, a plaidé pour un renforcement des capacités de défense afin de se tenir « prêt à tout confrontation militaire » avec les États-Unis.

« Même si la Chine ne peut rivaliser avec l’armée américaine sur le court terme, elle doit être capable de faire payer aux ֤États-Unis un coût impossible à supporter s’ils interviennent par la force dans le différend en mer de Chine méridionale », a ainsi fait valoir un éditorial de ce quotidien.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/07/06/incident-aerien-des-f-15-japonais-des-su-30-chinois/

Citation :

Japanese coastguard ship arrives in Manila for drills ahead of South China Sea territory ruling

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
11 July 2016


Key Points
A Japan Coast Guard ship is visiting Manila for an exercise, one day before an international court ruling on a South China Sea dispute is expected to be delivered
The move can be interpreted as a show of solidarity by Japan, although the Philippine Coast Guard has downplayed this suggestion
A Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Souya-class patrol vessel has docked in Manila's South Harbour in the Philippines one day ahead of a landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on a maritime territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

Citation :

Leonardo Lands Tech Deal to Support Japan Military
Andrew Chuter, Defense News 4:32 a.m. EDT July 13, 2016


FARNBOROUGH, England – Leonardo secured an export win for its Identification Friend or Foe technology in Japan. The news comes after another deal for the technology with the UK was announced.

Leonardo said it was under contract to supply it’s SIT-422/5J interrogator technology to an unnamed Japanese prime contractor providing the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force with IFF for a radar program. The deal is the first time a non-US company has provided Mode 5 technology for a Japanese radar program.

No value has been given for the deal.

The Japanese success comes hard on the heels of a deal revealed by Leonardo boss Mauro Moretti that the company, together with partner Airbus, had been selected to provide British aircraft, naval vessels and ground based air defense systems with Mode 5 IFF. The deal involves fitting Mode 5 IFF systems to over 400 operational platforms introduced before 2005 along with a long-term support program with the potential to run to 2043.

News the two companies had beaten out the incumbent UK IFF supplier Raytheon to the deal to introduce the new NATO Mode 5 standard of equipment slipped out yesterday when Leonardo boss Mauro Moretti told reporters his company had been down selected.

The deal was duly confirmed at the Farnborough air show July 12 with the announcement that Team Skytale, the name of the Leonardo/Airbus partnership, had been nominated as preferred contractor.

Along with the Japanese and British contract wins, Leonardo also said it had secured additional British MoD work involving a technology demonstrator program to explore the benefits of electronically-scanning IFF systems on the Typhoon fighter.

Typhoon is not included in the major IFF order from the British for Team Skytale.

The Typhoon’s current system, supplied by Leonardo, is due for an upgrade in order to meet new civilian air traffic regulations known as ‘Mode S’ in 2017 and the new NATO mandated Mode 5 standard in 2019.

Mode 5 provides better encryption security and other advantages over the current system.

NATO members will need to have the new system installed by 2020 when the old Mode 4 signal is scheduled to be turned off.

Bolsover said the partners in Team Skytale were already working to exploit their success in export markets and were looking at a sales opportunity in the Far East.

The Leonardo executive said the deal with the British includes an initial five-year support contract followed by options for two 10 year extensions.

He declined to give a value for the deal but Moretti said it was worth “hundreds of millions of euro.”


http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/show-daily/farnborough/2016/07/13/leonardo-lands-tech-deal-support-japan-military/87020922/

Citation :

Will Japan Finally Get the 1,498 MPH F-22 Raptor, Command Air Superiority?


Tokyo has long had ambitions to acquire the ultra-advanced fighter jet, but after US politics got in the way the aircraft’s production was phased out which means Japan would have to pay a hefty sum.

In late June, the Japanese defense ministry made an initial request for information on next-generation jet fighters from manufacturers, the first step in a long process of replacing the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters with a new "F-3."


Many in Tokyo see the solution, but there is a major impediment standing in the way.
Japan has repeatedly made requests to procure the American F-22 fighter jet, but Japan is legally barred from buying the plane unless the State Department and Pentagon agree to issue a waiver to the long-time ally.

Japan’s ambitions for air superiority appear to be still-born with China announcing plans for the J-20 and J-31 stealth fighters to enter service in the coming decade with Chinese state media suggesting that the aircrafts will even be deployed on aircraft carriers.

Tokyo is now left with an aging fleet of F-2s and F-15s with the latter set to phase out by 2040.
Perhaps more concerning, rather than the F-22 that Japan so desperately hopes to acquire to combat the threat of an increasingly militaristic Chinese air force as Beijing, the United States has hooked Tokyo on the F-35 which may not become fully operational for another half-decade.

Notably, the Canadian Air Force rejected the idea of the F-35 out-of-hand in the face of repeated economic threats from Lockheed Martin to ship the company’s operations overseas with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that the fighter jet just doesn’t work and it costs too much.


Coming in at a cost of nearly $200 million per unit, the F-35 has already cost the American taxpayers over $1.5 trillion to produce, but still suffers major system irregularities including a deadly ejection seat that will immediately snap the neck of or decapitate a pilot weighing under 135 pounds (and presents a danger to pilots between 135 pounds and 160 pounds) and the jet sporadically shuts down midflight due to an ongoing software glitch.

Japan is now committed to purchasing 42 F-35A aircrafts, a decision made in 2011 when the country selected the controversial fighter jet to replace Japan’s long-running F-4 Phantoms.

Fortunately for Japan, while the F-22 is no longer in production in the United States and has yet to be open for export by American officials, Tokyo seems to be gaining traction with Washington and will make a $40 billion fighter acquisition tender in mid-July with some hope.

In 2006, the United States considered opening up availability of the ultra-advanced F-22 Raptor to trusted US allies, but American politics prevented its export and its production line was terminated. However, with the Tokyo and Washington agreeing in May to an unprecedented joint-military agreement, as part of the Obama administration’s bid to encircle China, there is some small hope on the horizon for Japan.

With Tokyo in mind, the outgoing US Air Force's chief of staff General Mark Welsh said that the idea of restarting the F-22 production line, which industry officials and politicians have long said is a non-started



http://sputniknews.com/military/20160717/1043142882/japan-fighter-jet-Washington-f22.html

Citation :

Bell, Boeing Win $544Mln Contract to Build Osprey Combat Aircraft for Japan




Bell Helicopter and Boeing have received a more than half a billion dollar US Navy contract to build four MV-22 Osprey tilt rotors for Japan, the US Department of Defense announced.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The tiltrotor Osprey can travel at airplane speeds and hover like a helicopter for vertical landings on a carrier decks.

"Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $544.6 million… contract for the…manufacture and delivery of four MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft… [for] of the government of Japan," the announcement said on Tuesday.

However, the US Marine Corps variant of the Osprey has come under heavy criticism, with many refusing to fly an aircraft they consider defective, and a deathtrap.

Since 2007, Osprey defects have been linked to crashes and accidents resulting in 36 fatalities, including six during combat situations.



http://sputniknews.com/military/20160720/1043312805/osprey-japan-contract.html

Citation :

Boeing, Lockheed Martin emerge as early rivals for Japan's fighter contest

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 July 2016


Boeing and Lockheed Martin have confirmed their interest in pursuing the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) requirement to replace its Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighter aircraft.

Speaking to IHS Jane's on 19 July, the US corporations said that they will aim to leverage their significant respective footprints in Japan in bidding for a programme, which could be worth about USD20 billion.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently issued a request for information (RfI) and has said it expects to make a decision regarding the JASDF's "future fighter aircraft" by fiscal year 2018, which commences April 2018.

The F-2 was produced in the 2000s in a collaboration programme between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Lockheed Martin and is expected to be retired from about 2027.

A spokesperson from Boeing told IHS Jane's that the company was in the process of reviewing the F-2 replacement requirements. The spokesperson added that Boeing is "constantly looking for ways to grow [its] relationships and increase our presence in Japan, and are open to discussions with the customer to see how we can help meet their security needs".

A spokesperson from Lockheed Martin said, "Japan is seeking information from a variety of potential industry partners and we are certainly interested in another potential opportunity to bolster our long-standing partnership with Japan." The spokesperson added, "We are proud of our successful partnerships with Japan on the F-35 programme and MHI on the F-2 programme. We look forward to learning more about Japan's plans as discussions progress."

The RfI was issued in June to international combat aircraft manufacturers as part of a study into jet fighter technologies. The RfI closed earlier in July, with the companies - also likely to include Eurofighter and Saab - expected to present their information by the end of August.

The RfI is intended to support consideration of available combat aircraft as well as gauge international companies' willingness to participate in a collaborative programme as the MoD decides whether to develop the F-2 replacement indigenously or to enter a joint development programme with a foreign firm based on an existing fighter aircraft design.

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Japan - SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles
(Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued July 19, 2016)
WASHINGTON --- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles, equipment, and support. The estimated cost is $821 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 15, 2016.

The Government of Japan has requested a possible sale of up to two hundred forty-six (246) Standard Missile (SM-2), Block IIIB Vertical Launching Tactical All-Up Rounds, RIM-66M-09. This request also includes MK 13 MOD 0 Vertical Launching System Canisters, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services. The total estimated value of Major Defense Equipment (MDE) is $685 million. The total overall estimated value is $821 million.

Japan is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific, a key democratic partner of the United States in ensuring regional peace and stability, a close coalition ally in regional contingency operations, and a close cooperative and international exchange agreement partner. It is vital to U.S. national interests that Japan develops and maintains a strong and ready self-defense capability. This transaction is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives and the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

These SM-2 Block IIIB missiles will be used for anti-air warfare at sea. Japan currently fields four Kongo-class and two Atago-class destroyers, all of which are equipped with the Aegis Combat system and SM-2 Block IIIA/IIIB missiles. Japan is also building two new Aegis-equipped destroyers based on a modified Atago-class hull. The SM-2 Block IIIB missiles proposed in this sale will be used on these two future destroyers as well as supplementing Japan’s missile inventory.

Combined with the Aegis combat system, the SM-2 Block IIIB provides significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over critical East Asian and Western Pacific air- and sea-lines of communication. Japan has two Intermediate-Level Maintenance Facilities capable of maintaining the SM-2 Block IIIB and will have no difficulty absorbing these new missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, Arizona; Raytheon Company, Camden, Arkansas; and BAE of Minneapolis and Aberdeen, South Dakota. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. or contractor representatives to Japan.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Citation :

Japanese officials wants Heron TP drone developed by Israel Aerospace Industries
Jul 21, 2016

Japanese officials were interested in the Heron TP UAV developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). That reported by asahi.com.

The IAI Heron is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Malat (UAV) division of Israel Aerospace Industries. It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) operations of up to 52 hours’ duration at up to 10.5 km (35,000 ft).

It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight, but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less, according to payload and flight profile. There is a new version, Heron TP, also known as IAI Eitan.

According to Japanese government sources, the Defense Ministry began showing interest in Israel’s medium-sized UAV three years ago.

In 2015, a group of Defense Ministry and SDF officials visited a number of sites in Israel to see the drone in action.

The Israeli Air Force allowed The Asahi Shimbun to visit a unit that operates the Heron UAV. The control room for the vehicle was located next to the runway. Each UAV was operated by a two-man crew, with the superior officer actually steering the UAV while the subordinate handled intelligence-gathering.

A source close to the discussions said that Israel pointed to the advantages of the Heron as a joint manufacturing project with Japan. Drones would not be equipped with a black box that prevents Japan getting its hands on sensitive technological data. Japan would also be able to install its own sensors.

For Israel, Japan represents a potential major market.

According to Israeli Defense Ministry officials, weapons exports in 2015 totaled $5.7 billion and the Asia-Pacific region ranked No. 1 in terms of importer nations with a total of $2.3 billion.

Expanding sales routes is a major priority for defense companies as international competition heats up.



http://defence-blog.com/news/japanese-officials-wants-heron-tp-drone-developed-by-israel-aerospace-industries.html

Citation :

Despite Warnings, Japanese Sub Visits Ex-US Navy Base in Philippines

Amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, a Japanese submarine has traveled to a former US naval base located on the edge of China’s territorial claim.

On Sunday, Beijing warned Tokyo against meddling in the South China Sea conflict, where the Hague-based Court of Arbitration recently ruled against China’s nine-dash line territorial claims.

"Japan is not a party to the South China Sea issue, and considering its shameful history, it has no rights whatsoever to accuse China on the matter," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang, according to Xinhua news agency.

This did not, however, prevent a Japanese submarine from visiting a former US naval base in Subic Bay, in the Philippines. The vessel, one of the Japanese navy’s newest and largest, was escorted by two Japanese destroyers.

The development comes one day before the annual Balikatan military exercise, to be conducted by the Philippines, Japan, the United States, and Australia over the next 12 days.


While Beijing has not yet commented on submarine’s arrival in the South China Sea, Tokyo insists that its presence is not aimed at any country.

"We don’t have any message to any country," said Captain Hiraoki Yoshino of Japan’s Maritime Defense Force, according to the China Daily.

The United States and its Pacific allies object to China’s construction of artificial islands in the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos, accusing Beijing of attempting to establish an air defense zone. Beijing maintains that it has every right to build within its own territory and that its islands will be used primarily for civilian purposes.

Nevertheless, Washington has pushed regional allies to play a more active role in countering China’s growth. Last year’s Balikatan was similarly seen as a way to provoke Beijing.


http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160726/1043613285/japan-submarine-south-china-sea.html

Citation :

Brest accueille le groupe école de la marine japonaise




Brest accueille le groupe école de la marine japonaise
Publié le 28/07/2016 18:06
Le groupe école de la marine japonaise doit faire escale à Brest du vendredi 29 juillet au mardi 2 août. Les destroyers Setoyuki et Asagiri s’amarreront dans la base navale. Le navire école Kashima se rendra, lui, à Londres.




http://www.lemarin.fr/secteurs-activites/defense/26006-brest-accueille-le-groupe-ecole-de-la-marine-japonaise

Citation :

Saturday, 30 July 2016
Japan to upgrade its Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system to increase range and accuracy.
Japan is upgrading its Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missile defence system to increase range and accuracy needed to intercept more advanced North Korean ballistic missiles. This program represents the most significant upgrade to Japan’s missile defence system in a decade.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles in and around its capital as a defensive measure to defend against to North Korean Ballistic Missile attack.


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/07/japan-to-upgrade-its-patriot-pac-3-air.html?m=1

Citation :

Un nouveau ministre de la Défense au Japon


Posté dans Asie-Pacifique par Laurent Lagneau Le 03-08-2016



Le Premier ministre japonais, Shinzo Abe, fort de la victoire de sa majorité lors des dernières élections sénatoriales, a remanié son équipe, ce 3 août.

Le changement le plus notable concerne le ministère de la Défense, qui bénéficie d’une hausse constante de ses crédits depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir de M. Abe, en décembre 2012.

Ainsi, l’actuel ministre, Gen Nakatani, cédera son fauteuil à Tomomi Inada. Cette avocate âgée de 57 ans, diplômée de la section de droit de l’Université de Waseda, incarne la ligne dure du Parti libéral-démocrate, au pouvoir.

Affiliée au lobby Nippon Kaigi, ouvernement révisionniste et dont l’objectif est d’en finir avec la Constitution pacifiste de l’archipel, Tomomi Inada est une habituée du sanctuaire shintoïste Yasukuni de Tokyo, lequel est dédié aux Japonais morts au combat en servant l’empereur du Japon entre 1867 à 1951. Et parmi eux figurent 1.068 condamnés pour crimes de guerre et 14 criminels de guerre. Or, chaque visite d’un responsable nippon dans ce lieu suscite des tensions avec la Chine et la Corée.

« Nous devons sortir du régime d’après-guerre qui a rabaissé le rang du Japon en faisant que ce pays soit respecté dans le monde pour son sens unique de la morale », estime Mme Inada.

Sous l’autorité de M. Abe, le Japon a modifié sa Constitution pacifiste (en particulier l’article 9) et a validé le principe d’autodéfense collective, qui l’autorise, désormais, à envoyer des troupes à l’extérieur de ses frontières afin de défendre un pays allié.

Ces changements ont été motivés par les tensions en Asie, dues notamment par plusieurs différends territoriaux impliquant la Chine ainsi que par les activités nucléaires et balistiques de la Corée du Nord.

D’ailleurs, le dernier Livre blanc sur la défense japonais, publié le 2 août, s’est inquiété de la politique du fait accompli menée par Pékin en mer de Chine méridionale.

La choix de nommer Tomomi Inada à la tête du ministère de la Défense, s’il répond aussi à des considérations de politique intérieure, peut être perçu comme un signe de fermeté à l’égard de Pékin et de Pyongyang (voire même de Séoul, le Japon ayant un contentieux avec la Corée du Sud au sujet des îles Dokdo).

« Mme Inada est une politicienne ultra-conservatrice et sa nomination va être perçue comme un signe annonciateur d’une révision de la Constitution et d’une ligne politique dure à l’égard de la Chine », a ainsi commenté Takashi Kawahami, un expert en questions de sécurité à l’Université Takushoku.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/08/03/nouveau-ministre-de-la-defense-au-japon/

Citation :

RIMPAC 2016: USN hones interoperability with partner countries in 'most complex' MCM drill

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
04 August 2016



Key Points
The US Navy has completed complex mine countermeasures drills with partner services at 'RIMPAC' 2016
The exercise aims to boost interoperability between the navies in handling mine warfare threats
The US Navy (USN) has concluded a multilateral exercise that aims to improve its mine countermeasures (MCM) interoperability with partner navies.

The exercise, which took place in and around waters off Southern California over four weeks, was conducted as part of the US Pacific Fleet-hosted Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') 2016 maritime exercise.

Partner services in the drill included the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the German Armed Forces, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Mexican Navy (Armada de México), and the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile).

In its statement, the USN described the MCM drill as the service's "most complex mine warfare exercise" given the number of participating services, and the inaugural deployment of a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), as a forward staging base for the multinational forces.

In addition to that MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters - airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) derivatives of the CH-53E Super Stallion - conducted deck landing qualifications on Pearl Harbor 's flight deck as part of the exercises.

"These firsts during 'RIMPAC' [Southern California] 2016 provided a distinct and unique environment and experience for participants", said the USN.

"What was great about this exercise is that the forces of multiple nations came together to execute a series of very complicated evolutions and did so in a seamless and timely manner", said Commander David Burke of the USN's Task Force 177.

In total the participating services detected and disposed a total of 77 mines over the course of 78 operational dives, 300 flight hours, and 77 autonomous underwater vehicle operations.

"RIMPAC' 2016 ran from 30 June to 4 August and involved 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel from 27 countries.

Citation :

Japan's new defence minister vows to prepare SDF for new missions

Gabriel Dominguez, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
05 August 2016



Japan's new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, vowed on 4 August to "fully prepare" the country's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for expanded missions overseas under the new security laws.

"[The ministry] will take all appropriate measures so that the [SDF] can adequately conduct missions given to them," Inada was quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying a day after the lawmaker, known for her nationalist views on history, assumed the post.

Since the new security legislation took effect in March, the focus has been on when Tokyo will expand the role of the SDF engaged in UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

Citation :

Saturday, 6 August 2016
Liquid Robotics Delivers Fleet of Wave Gliders Hybrid USV / UUV to the Japan Coast Guard
Liquid Robotics, the leader in long-duration, unmanned ocean robots, and their Japanese partner, Hydro Systems Development (HSD), have successfully delivered the first fleet of Wave Gliders to the Japan Coast Guard. Liquid Robotics and HSD will assist the Japan Coast Guard in deploying eight Wave Gliders for a multi-year mission providing autonomous observation and situational awareness of ocean currents, wave activity, and weather along Japan’s coastlines. This is the first ocean observation network in Japan’s history that will provide comprehensive and economical monitoring of Japan’s ocean conditions.

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/08/liquid-robotics-delivers-fleet-of-wave.html?m=1

Citation :

09/08/2016

Le Japon commande un E-2D « Advanced Hawkeye » supplémentaire !




Le Japon a placé une commande pour un nouvel avion d'alerte précoce et de contrôle de type Northrop-Grumman E-2D « Advanced Hawkeye » pour un montant estimé à 163 millions de dollars avec le gouvernement des États-Unis.

Un premier contrat avait été signé en novembre 2015 portant sur un lot de quatre E-2D pour un montant de 1,7 milliard de dollars. Les premiers appareils seront livrés en 2018.

Le Hawkeye E-2D « Advanced » :

Les systèmes du E-2D représentent un bond de plusieurs générations dans la technologie des systèmes embarqués d’alerte lointaine et doit permettre de s’adapter aux menaces d’aujourd’hui et de demain. Le Hawkeye E-2D « Advanced » dispose d’un grand nombre de nouveautés avec un radar AESA AN/APY-9 qui remplace l’ancienne antenne mécanique, le radar permet une couverture totale à 360° et offre un suivi complet air et mer. L’appareil dispose également d’une nouvelle motorisation, soit le Rolls-Royce T-56-A-427A. Un cockpit entièrement numérique, d’un nouveau système d’identification ami/ennemi, de nouveaux postes de travail tactique ainsi que d’une nouvelle architecture électronique et de communication couplée à une liaison de données.


Photos : Northrop-Grumman E-2D « Advanced Hawkeye @ Northrop-Grumman

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2016/08/09/le-japon-commande-un-e-2d-advanced-hawkeye-supplementaire-861905.html

Citation :

Industry
Japan considers adding THAAD to its air defence capabilities
Julian Ryall, Tokyo and Gabriel Dominguez, London and Neil Gibson, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
12 August 2016
Japan is "rushing forward" with upgrades to its missile defence capabilities and is considering adopting the US Army's Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, national broadcaster NHK reported on 9 August.

The government in Tokyo is concerned about the increasing number of missiles being fired by North Korea, including the 3 August launch of two No Dong (also known as Rodong) intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), one of which travelled around 1,000 km.

Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani said at the time that the missile appears to have fallen within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), some 250 km west of Akita Prefecture in northeastern Japan.

Citation :

Military Capabilities
JASDF releases images of first F-35
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
15 August 2016
The first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for Japan was photographed at the Fort Worth production facility in mid-August.

The images, released by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) on 14 August, show aircraft 69-8701 (also designated AX-1) in its completed state ahead of flight tests and delivery to the international training fleet at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, in the coming weeks. Four aircraft for the JASDF are currently being built at Fort Worth.

Japan has committed itself to buying 28 F-35As over the next five-years (6 of the aircraft are under contract), and has a total requirement of 42 to replace its ageing Mitsubishi-McDonnell Douglas F-4J Kai (Phantom II) aircraft, which have been in service since the early 1970s.


http://www.janes.com/article/62957/jasdf-releases-images-of-first-f-35

Citation :

Japan Plans to ‘Go On Offense’ with 300 Km-Range Missiles
(Source: Global Times; issued August 15, 2016)
Japan's decision to develop surface-to-sea missiles with a range of 300 kilometers to cover the disputed islands shows the country may be eyeing a shift to an offensive posture, analysts said.

The Japanese government has decided to develop the missiles to "protect the nation's isolated islands," including the disputed Diaoyu Islands, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

Development costs will be part of the Defense Ministry's budget request for the fiscal year ending March 2018, and the weapons are set to be deployed on islands, such as Miyako, in Japan's southernmost Okinawa prefecture by 2023.

"Japan is trying to use the missile system to lock down the Miyako Strait and prevent Chinese forces from entering the Western Pacific Ocean," Zhou Yongsheng, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

He said if the reported 300-kilometer range is true, it would mean Japan is ready for a hard fight. "The range is higher than that of Russia's S-300 surface-to-air missile system, and better than China's current surface-to-air missile system," Zhou said.

Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian studies at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said the 300-kilometer range missiles could target China's coastal areas.

"If China launches a strategic weapon or if a ship departs from China's coastal areas in Zhejiang Province, they would be within the missiles' range," he told the Global Times.

Da said the missiles are similar to South Korea's recent deployment of the THAAD system, as both would spark a regional arms race.

"Though Japan claims it is for defense purposes, the missiles increase Japan's capability to shift from a defensive to an offensive posture," Da said.

State broadcaster NHK reported Japan's Defense Ministry is inclined to hasten efforts to deploy a THAAD battery in the wake of North Korea's recent missile launches.

G20 factor

On Saturday, a Japanese government source said Chinese fighter jets have been approaching the Diaoyu Islands since May, Japanese media reported.

In response, Tokyo scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets, the source said, calling such moves by Chinese aircraft "abnormal." Chinese warplanes have flown near the islets more than three times since late May, the source said.

Earlier this month, 230 Chinese fishing boats and a dozen China Coast Guard vessels were spotted near the Diaoyu Islands, according to Kyodo News.

Zhou said China's recent activities near the Diaoyu Islands are part of efforts to counter Japan's meddling in the South China Sea issue.

Last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met his Philippine counterpart Perfecto Yasay in the southern Philippine city of Davao, where both pledged to work closely to boost maritime security while facing separate sea disputes with China, AFP reported.

Kishida's visit to Manila shows that Japan is encouraging the Philippine government to pursue the former administration's policy against China, while spreading the misleading message that China has no intention to repair its souring relationship with Japan, experts said.

The friction comes ahead of next month's Group of 20 summit in China, where there has been talk of a potential meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Zhou said the G20 summit might temporarily ease tensions between the two countries.

This year's trilateral summit between China, Japan and South Korea, expected to be held in November, will also be an opportunity for the three countries to mend their ties, Zhou said.

Citation :

Japan and Taiwan set to increase defence spending in 2017
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 August 2016
The governments of Japan and Taiwan have proposed small increases in their respective defence budgets for 2017, according to reports in both Northeast Asian countries on 19 August.

Citing the government's budget directorate, Taiwan's state-run Central News Agency reported that the country's defence expenditure would expand to TWD321.7 billion (USD10.2 billion) in 2017, which it said was a TWD1.6 billion (or 0.5%) increase over actual expenditure in 2016.

In Japan, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has proposed a 2017 defence budget of JPY5.17 trillion (USD51.6 billion), according to the Kyodo news agency. This, it said, represents a 2.3% increase over the initial budget request for 2016.

Citation :

Le Japon prévoit de dépenser 51 mds $ pour sa défense en 2017

19 août 2016


Les forces aériennes japonaises | Image : © AP Photo par Eugene Hoshiko


Le Ministre de la défense japonaise envisage de demander 5,1 trillions de yens (51 milliards $) pour la défense dans l’année fiscale 2017 sur fond d’inquiétudes croissantes autour de la Chine et la Corée du Nord.

Cela a été rapporté par la Nikkei Asian Review.

C’est la cinquième année consécutive que le Ministère de la défense vise une augmentation du financement. Lors de l’année fiscale 2013 le budget de la défense japonaise a augmenté pour la première fois depuis 11 ans, après que le Premier ministre japonais Shinzō Abe a débuté son deuxième mandat. Le Ministère pense qu’une nouvelle augmentation est nécessaire pour la prochaine année fiscale, sur un fond d’augmentation des tensions dans l’Asie-Pacifique.

Une partie du budget demandé serait allouée pour le développement commun du Standard Missile 3 Block IIA, en partenariat avec les Etats-Unis. Les missiles de nouvelle génération seront déployés sur les destroyers équipés ds systèmes Aegis de la force maritime d’autodéfense japonaise.

Le Block IIA sera capable d’abattre les missiles attaquants à une altitude de 1000 km ou plus, contre environ 300 km pour les SM-3s actuels. Le Japon et les Etats-Unis travaillent ensemble afin d’améliorer les capacités de nouveau modèle en réponse à un missile Musudan nord-coréen dont l’altitude potentielle a dépassé 1000 km lors de son lancement en juin dernier.

Les tests seront effectués dans une zone éloignée des côtes d’Hawaï cet automne dans le but de lancer la production en 2017.

Les forces japonaises d’autodéfense possèdent un système anti-missile de deux niveaux. Tout missile qui traverse les destroyers équipés de système Aegis et missiles S-M3s fera face aux intercepteurs Patriot PAC-3 basés au sol. Le budget demandé comprendra également les dépenses pour l’augmentation de la portée des systèmes Patriot PAC-3.

Le Ministère exigera également le financement de l’amélioration des capacités des missiles sol-mer déployés sur l’archipel Sakishima dans la préfecture d’Okinawa, dans les eaux où l’activité de la Chine a récemment augmenté. La modernisation des avions de chasse F-15 basés à Okinawa, qui devraient intercepter tout avion militaire chinois approchant l’espace aérien japonais, est aussi prévue.

http://defense-blog.fr/le-japon-prevoit-depenser-51-mds-pour-sa-defense-en-2017/  

Citation :

Japan deploying Type 3 missile system in Okinawa Prefecture
Aug 23, 2016






The government intends to deploy an upgraded version of a surface-to-air missile with enhanced interception capabilities on the Nansei Islands to reinforce the air defense of remote islands, including the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

That was reported by the-japan-news.com.

The ¥17.7 billion cost of introducing the missile will be included in the Defense Ministry’s initial budget request for fiscal 2017. The government aims to deploy the missile around 2021.

Chinese military aircraft are increasing their activity around the Senkaku Islands. The government aims to enhance deterrence by deploying the upgraded version of the surface-to-air missile.

The missile to be introduced will be an improved version of a Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, which will be mounted on a vehicle. It can intercept not only fighter aircraft but also high-speed cruise missiles. It has a longer range and a better ability to cope with multiple targets than the missiles currently deployed.

The government plans to make the purchase over multiple years. One missile system consisting of a launcher, radar and other equipment will be included in the initial budget request.

It is harder to detect high-speed cruise missiles than fighters. The period of time between a missile’s launch and when it can be intercepted is short, so the key issue is improving the capability to cope with this.

In a launch test conducted in the United States, all the improved missiles hit their targets.

The missile is expected to be deployed to the Ground Self-Defense Force missile unit that is planned to be stationed on Miyakojima island and Ishigakijima island in Okinawa Prefecture and Amami Oshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

In the East China Sea, the number of scrambles by Air Self-Defense Force aircraft against Chinese military aircraft is increasing. In June, Chinese military aircraft approached ASDF aircraft around the Senkaku Islands.

Initially, the Defense Ministry considered requesting two systems with the improved missile, but ultimately chose to request only one because it is continuing to introduce other expensive equipment.

The ministry plans to make the deployment sequentially to the units on Okinawa Island and Kyushu in the medium term. However, construction of a widespread air defense network may be delayed.Speech


http://defence-blog.com/news/japan-deploying-type-3-missile-system-in-okinawa-prefecture.html

Citation :

Japan plans to upgrade SAM system to defend disputed East China Sea islands

Julian Ryall, Tokyo and Gabriel Dominguez, London and Neil Gibson, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
23 August 2016

Japan intends to upgrade its Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system to bolster the air defence capabilities of its remote islands, including those near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported on 22 August.

The system, which will be an improved version of the mobile Type 03 (also known as SAM-4 or Chu-SAM), is set to be deployed to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force missile units that are planned to be stationed on the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture and the island of Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, according to the report.

Citation :

Defense Ministry Seeks Record Budget
(Source: The Japan Times; published August 31, 2016)
TOKYO --- The Defense Ministry said Wednesday it will seek a record ¥5.17 trillion in budget outlays for fiscal 2017 as it aims to upgrade the country’s missile defense in response to a series of recent provocative actions by North Korea.

The sum for the year starting next April, including expenditures related to the U.S. military realignment in Japan, is up 2.3 percent from the fiscal 2016 initial budget. The request marks an increase for the fifth straight year.

The ministry plans to spend ¥14.7 billion to acquire the Standard Missile-3 Block 2A interceptor system, currently being developed by the Japanese and U.S. governments.

The request also includes ¥105.6 billion to revamp the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, surface-to-air missile defense system.

The total sum also includes ¥17.7 billion to obtain an advanced model of the Type 3 medium-range surface-to-air missile and ¥11.6 billion to extend the range of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile.

These measures are designed to enhance the capability of the Self-Defense Forces to protect the Nansei island chain, including the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, amid China’s increasing maritime assertiveness.

The ministry also plans to acquire a new submarine with advanced detection capabilities for ¥76 billion, four units of the Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft for ¥39.3 billion and six F-35 stealth fighters for ¥94.6 billion.

The ministry’s request also includes funds to increase the number of defense attaches stationed in the Philippines and Vietnam and to start dispatching such personnel to Finland in order to boost Japan’s ability to gather intelligence about China and Russia.

The ministry also plans to establish a command to control all Ground SDF units and an amphibious unit to be modeled on U.S. Marines.

Citation :

apan, Saudi Arabia sign defence collaboration accord

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
05 September 2016

Japan and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence collaboration, with a view to supporting defence trade.

The MoU was signed in Tokyo on 2 September during talks between Japan's defence minister Tomomi Inada and her visiting counterpart Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.

In a statement the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the agreement will support strengthened defence exchanges as well as defence-related education, training and research.

The two countries also pledged to expand collaboration on maritime security issues and defence equipment, although the MoD has not elaborated on potential programmes.

Inada said following the signing of the agreement, "This is a major step toward developing our defence exchanges." Mohammad bin Salman said, "I hope we can especially enhance our relations on defence equipment."