JASDF Conducts 555 Sorties Against RuAF and PLAAF Aircraft
Japanese MoD stated that 555 sorties were conducted in total in the last nine months of 2023, mostly against Russian and Chinese aircraft.
Japan News
Air
Bilateral Relations
Communication
Northrop and Mitsubishi to Cooperate on Air Defence
U.S.-based Northrop Grumman and Japanese Mitsubishi Electric will cooperate to network Japan’s ground-based air defence systems.
Weapon / Missile
Japan to Acquire 400 Tomahawk Missiles from the U.S.
Japanese MoD signed a $1.7 billion deal with the U.S. to acquire 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles for AEGIS-equipped destroyers.
Space
Sensors
Japan Launches a New Intelligence Satellite
Japan’s intelligence satellite IGS Optical 8, launched on the 12th of January, is intended to monitor North Korea’s military activity.
Bilateral Relations
ROK to Deepen Cooperation With Japan and the U.S.
The Republic of Korea’s Minister of Defence, Shin Won-sik, vowed to strengthen defence cooperation with Japan and the U.S. against North Korea.
Navy / Maritime
Kawasaki to Design Japan’s Next-generation Submarine
Japan has embarked on a program to design the next-generation submarine, which will be capable of deploying longer-range stand-off missiles with VLS.
Ammunition
Japan Plans to Supply the U.K. With 155 mm Ammunition
The Japanese government revealed its plans to supply the U.K. with 155 mm ammunition for towed and self-propelled artillery.
Land
Bilateral Relations
Japan Delivers 4x4 and Tracked Vehicles to Ukraine
Japan announced military aid to Ukraine, including Type 73 4x4 light tactical vehicles and at least one Morooka tracked logistics vehicle.
Air
Navy / Maritime
Japan Completes SH-60L Naval Helicopter’s Development
Japanese MoD announced that the development of the new SH-60L naval multirole helicopter was completed.
Navy / Maritime
Unmanned Systems
Japan Puts Modified JS Kaga DDH On Sea Trials
JMDSF has announced the sea trials of the JS Kaga helicopter carrier (DDH) modified to carry F-35B STOVL fighter jets.
Bilateral Relations
Weapon / Missile
Russia Warns Japan For the Patriot AD System Sale
Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova warned Japan that providing the U.S. with Patriot air defence systems can lead to ‘consequences’.
Weapon / Missile
Japan to Develop Interceptor Against Hypersonic Missiles
Japan has revealed a ¥75 billion (Roughly $526.7 million) funding for developing interceptors to counter the hypersonic missile threat.
Weapon / Missile
Bilateral Relations
Japan Set to Export “Patriot” to U.S.
Japan has loosened its arms export rules to deliver locally manufactured missiles and artillery to countries like the United States.
Navy / Maritime
Defence Politics
Country
Japan Approves Record Defence Budget: $56bn
Today, Japan approved the government budget for fiscal 2024 as $56 billion, which secures $2.59 billion to build two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV).
