JAPAN / 日本

[ArmChairCivvy]

Heh-he,

everyone else is getting into the business of sinking OpFor ships just when we are withdrawing from it
- must be because we invented the aircraft carrier?

[xav]

Japan Coast Guard Ordered a 3rd Falcon 2000 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft from Dassault Aviation

French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation announced today during its annual results the order of a third Maritime Surveillance FALCON 2000 by the Japanese coast guards.

Dassault Aviation announced in April 2015 that Japan Coast Guard selected the Falcon 2000 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) to enhance its operational fleet.

The Falcon 2000 MSA, based on a Falcon 2000 LXS (range 4000 NM), is designed for a broad range of missions including maritime surveillance, piracy control, drug interdiction, fishery patrol, law enforcement, search and rescue, intelligence and reconnaissance. It offers the best combination of size, payload, speed, range and acquisition and operating costs on the market.

For this customer, Dassault is partnering with L-3 Platform Integration and THALES. Japan Coast Guard was formerly operating two Falcon 900 MSA.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ation.html

[2HeadsBetter]

Izumo is to stretch her legs in the Indian Ocean - by way of the South China Sea:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/778 ... jing-Tokyo

[ArmChairCivvy]

Any news on the AESA seker head for our Meteors?
- we cannot afford to put AESAs on the a/c themselves, but will shoot them away in the tips of missiles

[Defiance]

Any news on the AESA seker head for our Meteors?
- we cannot afford to put AESAs on the a/c themselves, but will shoot them away in the tips of missiles

Only a recent article from Janes mentioning it's still on-going and Japan potentially looking to enhance JPN-UK cooperation in missile technology. Do they see the UK as a way to get a sensing foothole into the European market?

http://www.janes.com/article/68690/japa ... es-with-uk

[ArmChairCivvy]

. Do they see the UK as a way to get a sensing foothole into the European market?

I think they simply see Meteor as the best base from which to improve; the end result is likely to be the by far best BVR A2A missile
- the original driver for the co-op agreement probably was to get their MPA in the "competition" that was (by coincidence) won by the company contracted as the Lead Integrator on the cancelled Nimrod prgrm.

[xav]

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Delivers the 8th Soryu-class SSK SS-508 Sekiryu to the JMSDF

SS-508 Sekiryu is the 27th submarine built by Kawasaki after the war and the 8th Soryu-class submarine supplied to the JMSDF (the 4th built by Kawaski, the other four ones having been built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries). Sekiryu means Red Dragon. Sekiryu's keel was laid in March 2013, the SSK was launched in November 2015.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... jmsdf.html

[xav]

JMSDF Commissions its Second Izumo-Class Helicopter Carrier JS Kaga (DDH 184)

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned its second Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer "Kaga" (hull number DDH-184) during the ceremony at the JMU Japan Marine United Corporation shipyard in Yokohama Isogo on March 22nd.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... h-184.html

[R686]

Japan looking to become more offensive orientated


https://news.usni.org/2017/05/10/japan- ... awks-25578

[xav]

My coverage of MAST Asia 2017, the only defense show in Japan!








MAST Asia 2017: Mitsui Unveils Japanese MLP Concept

At MAST Asia 2017 (Maritime Air Systems & Technologies), the naval defense exhibition currently held in Tokyo, Japanese company Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) unveiled its Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) concept.

Mitsui's MLP is designed for large scale transportation of LCACs, MBTs, vehicles, cargo and equipment, with multi-mission and modular features. In addition to its aviation operations and amphibious capabilities, this MLP can act as an offshore base.

The design differs from the American MLP which comes in two variants: The Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) variant for amphibious operations and the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) variant focusing on aircraft operation. Mitsui's design appers to combine both roles on a single design.

Unlike the ESB, there is no aviation hangar forward. There are four helicopter spots on the "almost" flat top. There is an elevator for stores and equipment next to spot #2. There is also a ramp allowing vehicles access between the two main decks.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ncept.html


MAST Asia 2017: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unveils new tracked amphibious vehicle

At MAST Asia 2017, the Defense Maritime/Air Systems & Technologies Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries presents a demonstrator scale model of its new tracked amphibious vehicle fully designed by the Japanese Company. Mitsubishi expects to offer this project to the Japanese Defense Forces as next generation of amphibious vehicle.
...
The Mitsubishi Amphibious vehicle will offer more capabilities in terms of protection, speed and mobility compared to the American AAV7. The vehicle can be used for sea and land operations.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... 06171.html


MAST Asia 2017: Japan's ATLA Unveils Future Multi Purpose Trimaran Concept

At MAST Asia 2017 (Maritime Air Systems & Technologies), the naval defense exhibition currently held in Tokyo, Japan's Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) unveiled its HMSVO trimaran vessel concept. ATLA is a branch of Japan's MoD created in 2015 to "ensure technological superiority and respond to operational needs smoothly and quickly".

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ncept.html

More MAST Asia news: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... -news.html

[xav]

MAST Asia 2017: JMSDF Tested its XSSM Anti-Ship Missile against Barracuda USV-MT Target

At MAST Asia 2017 (Maritime Air Systems & Technologies), the naval defense exhibition held last week in Tokyo, Navy Recognition learned that Japan's Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), a branch of the MoD, used a surface target from Canadian company Qinetiq Target Systems to test one of its latest generation anti-ship missile: the XSSM.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... arget.html

[xav]

Japan to Produce and Procure XASM-3 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile in 2018

According to Japanese news site Yomiuri Online, Japan's next geenration XASM-3 supersonic anti-ship missile will enter mass production in 2018. The missile will also be officially introduced with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), it will then be called ASM-3. The Japanese MoD likely conducted a test earlier this year as we previously reported.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... -2018.html

[Dahedd]

Looks like an upscaled Meteor. Something the UK sould be looking at?

[xav]

First JMSDF 25DD-class Asahi ASW Destroyer Started Sea Trials

Based on Japanese ship spotters pictures, the Asahi destroyer (25DD-class), the latest surface combatant designed for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), started sea trials.

More info: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... rials.html

[abc123]

First JMSDF 25DD-class Asahi ASW Destroyer Started Sea Trials

Based on Japanese ship spotters pictures, the Asahi destroyer (25DD-class), the latest surface combatant designed for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), started sea trials.

More info: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... rials.html

That's a ship I wouldn't mind paying 800 millions of pounds. Well done Japan.

[ArmChairCivvy]

RE: To our knowledge, Asahi is Japan's (and incidentally, also the world's) first warship to be fitted with an operational GaN-AESA (gallium nitride - active electronically scanned array) Multifunction Radar.
- Saab reported in 2024 that they would be delivering Sea Giraffe -4A 3D Gan radars in 2016, but (at that time) did not disclose the customer. This was from Gothenburg; what they build in Australia has "synergies"

As, I am sure, does this one, but this time with the Meteor joint seeker head project; "the XRIM-4 surface to air missile (in development in Japan to replace ESSM, it features an AESA seeker)"

[xav]

Japan's ATLA Selected MHI & Mitsui to build 30DX Surface Combatant for JMSDF

Japan's Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on August 9th the launch of a new surface vessel programme called 30DX for the JMSDF. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was selected as prime contractor while Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (Mitsui) was selected as subcontractor. ATLA is a branch of Japan's MoD created in 2015 to "ensure technological superiority and respond to operational needs smoothly and quickly".

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.p ... jmsdf.html

Another design that will eventually compete against the likes of PPA, Type 31 and FTI...

[LordJim]

Well it seems to tick all the boxes many what to see filled for the T-31, so maybe we should go into partnership with Japan and have then build he first few for us, so we can bring them into service at the same time as the T-26, then build the remainder in the UK when the T-26 programme has delivered all 6 sorry I meant 8.

[ArmChairCivvy]

From the link "
The original plan considered a design similar to the American LCS concept, but finaly it looks like ATLA decided on a more conservative plan. MHI has been working (with its own funds) on the 30FF concept since 2015: A 3000 tons frigate capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots."

It goes as far back as the Streetfighter (from which the LCS resulted). Both that concept and the Japanese one have resulted in a ship three times as large. The main mission of the Japanese (smaller than the current design) "Streetfighter" was to rapidly mingle with the PLAN should they come to the contested islands.

[Dahedd]

Pinched from Snafu blog. Japanese Merlin crashes during sling load trials.

[xav]

Japan's Minister of Defence Visits JMSDF AEGIS Destroyer Deployed Against North Korean Missiles

Japan's Minister of Defense, Itsunori Onodera, visited a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) AEGIS in the Sea of Japan on on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. The Kongo-class guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) is currently deployed to provide anti-ballistic protection against North Korea's missile threat. It is the first time that a Japanese Minister of Defense inspects a JMSDF vessel while underway at sea.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... siles.html

[SKB]

[xav]

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Launched the 10th Soryu-class SSK SS-510 Shoryu for the JMSDF

The 10th Soryu-class SSK, SS-510 Shoryu, was launched at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe on November 6th. The Soryu-class diesel-electric submarines are being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
SS-510 Shoryu is the 28th submarine built by Kawasaki after the war and the 10th Soryu-class submarine built for the JMSDF (the 5th built by Kawaski, the other five ones having been built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries). Shoryu's keel was laid in January 2015 and is set to be delivered to the JMSDF in March 2018.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.p ... jmsdf.html

[SKB]

Blue Impulse - JASDF Aerobatic Team

Demonstration flight by JASDF's aerobatic team Blue Impulse at JASDF Gifu Air Base Air Show, November 2017.
Blue Impulse usually fly nine Kawasaki T-4, with two in reserve.

[SKB]

Japan's Emperor Akihito to abdicate in April 2019

(BBC News)

Japan's Emperor Akihito will step down in April 2019, marking the end of the Heisei era for Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the abdication date shortly after a government and royal panel met to discuss the timing. The 83-year-old emperor had said last year that his age and health made it difficult to fulfil duties. The timing of his abdication, the first in more than two centuries, has been the subject of debate in Japan.The Imperial Household Council, made up of Mr Abe, lawmakers, and members of Japan's royal family, convened on Friday to set the date of the abdication. Mr Abe later met reporters briefly to announce that they had decided the emperor would step down on 30 April 2019.

His abdication will mark the end of the Heisei era, and he would be immediately succeeded by his son Crown Prince Naruhito on 1 May, which would start a new imperial era.

Earlier reports said the emperor could abdicate on 31 December so that his son would start his era on 1 January, thus synchronising the imperial calendar - which is still used for formal announcements - with the Gregorian calendar that is widely used in Japan. But that proposal was reportedly rejected by the royal household as ceremonies to mark the succession would then clash with year-end and new year royal events. The emperor, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989.

In a rare address to the nation last year, Akihito said he was "worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties".
His statement was widely interpreted as a wish for abdication, which at the time was not provided for under the law.
Public sympathy grew for the emperor, and the Japanese government moved to enact a bill this year to allow him to step down.