Uncrewed Vehicles
Caution tempers Japanese interest in shipborne TB3
Baykar Defense aims to sell its TB3 strike UAV to Japan — but there are obstacles in its path.
Air Warfare
Japanese F-3 to be jointly developed with the UK
Japan looks set to turn to the UK, instead of the US, for partnership help in developing its future F-3 fighter.
Land Warfare
Japan develops armour for field ambulance
Japan is going to up-armour some field ambulances, in order to create its first armoured medical vehicles.
Land Warfare
Japan’s army establishes new electronic operations unit
Japan is expanding its number of EW units, plus it is developing high-powered microwave weapons able to counter enemy UAVs.
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Naval Warfare
Japan commissions first Taigei-class submarine
10th March 2022
Japan's navy has now reached its full complement of 22 conventional submarines.
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Naval Warfare
Japan considers submarine-launched cruise missiles
5th January 2022
Japan is exploring the possibility of equipping its submarines with cruise missiles that can be launched from underwater — but it has never done this before.
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Naval Warfare
JMSDF launches new tanker vessel
25th October 2021
To resupply naval bases in its southwest archipelago, Japan is building two coastal tankers.
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Air Warfare
Japanese naval helicopter prototypes are delivered
3rd October 2021
Japan's navy will adopt the Seahawk-based SH-60L helicopter as its successor to the current SH-60K fleet.
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Training
JASDF seeks successor for the T-4 trainer jet
19th August 2021
Japan requires a new and modern trainer jet to train its pilots, with perhaps 200+ to enter service.
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Naval Warfare
Japan works on new OPV design and pushes for exports
23rd July 2021
A new OPV design is one item for sale as Japan pushes hard to increase defence equipment exports. (ATLA)
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Military Logistics
JASDF takes small digitisation step with smart base experiment
20th July 2021
Japan's military is lagging in terms of its digitisation, but a smart base experiment could begin to turn the tide.
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Air Warfare
Japan to develop UAV that works alongside F-X
28th June 2021
Japan has an indigenous 'loyal wingman' programme that will complement the future F-X fighter in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
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Air Warfare
Japan to deploy mobile radar to monitor Chinese activity in Pacific
2nd June 2021
More frequent forays of Chinese aircraft carriers and their complement of fighters is worrying Japan's military.
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Air Warfare
First flight for Japan’s upgraded SH-60
19th May 2021
The JMSDF needs to upgrade the performance of its Seahawk-based helicopters, with a new type now in development.
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Air Warfare
Japanese satellites to track hypersonic weapons
10th May 2021
As China's military fields hypersonic glide vehicles, Japan is seeking to use satellites to detect and track them.
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Air Warfare
Japan to extend satellite life with private help
7th May 2021
Japan is exploring sophisticated technologies that will extend the life of satellites already in orbit.
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Land Warfare
Sumitomo withdraws from Japanese machine gun tender
21st April 2021
Japanese small-arms production could take a hit as one major domestic manufacturer relinquishes its lead role.
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Air Warfare
Japan to deploy F-35Bs at Nyutabaru
6th April 2021
F-35B fighters belonging to both the US and Japan will be stationed on Japanese soil.
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Naval Warfare
Japan mulls a successor to Oosumi-class transport vessels
19th March 2021
The JMSDF will have to replace its Oosumi-class transport vessels, but their replacement does not seem to have been given the priority it deserves.
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Land Warfare
Japan plans a successor to its LAV
4th March 2021
The current state of play in Japan's defence industry means that Tokyo might have to look overseas for its next LAV 4x4.
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Air Warfare
Japan chooses US partner to assist with F-2 successor
22nd December 2020
Given the technological challenges associated with developing a stealth fighter, Japan has enlisted the help of a US aerospace OEM.
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Air Warfare
Japan postpones its F-15J upgrade programme
15th December 2020
The JASDF's plans to upgrade its fleet of F-15J fighters has hit a snag - money - as estimated programme costs soar.
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Naval Warfare
Japan to build two BMD warships and improve Type 12 missile
11th December 2020
Two new ballistic missile defence warships will be even more expensive than the Aegis Ashore system that Japan cancelled earlier.
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Land Warfare
Japan developing laser to knock down UAVs
10th December 2020
As Japan's military looks to gain experience with UAVs, it is also developing lasers to shoot them down too.
