Air Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan chooses US partner to assist with F-2 successor
Given the technological challenges associated with developing a stealth fighter, Japan has enlisted the help of a US aerospace OEM.
Air Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan postpones its F-15J upgrade programme
The JASDF's plans to upgrade its fleet of F-15J fighters has hit a snag - money - as estimated programme costs soar.
Naval Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan to build two BMD warships and improve Type 12 missile
Two new ballistic missile defence warships will be even more expensive than the Aegis Ashore system that Japan cancelled earlier.
Land Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan developing laser to knock down UAVs
As Japan's military looks to gain experience with UAVs, it is also developing lasers to shoot them down too.
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Naval Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan contemplates difficult alternatives to Aegis Ashore
15th September 2020
The Japanese MoD is considering alternatives to Aegis Ashore, with three potential ballistic missile defence (BMD) plans encompassing an isolated installed launcher, mega-floating platform or ...
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Unmanned Vehicles
PREMIUM: Japan may renege on its Global Hawk acquisition
18th August 2020
Domestic media in Japan reported on 13 August that Tokyo is considering cancelling its purchase of the RQ-4B Block 30(I) Global Hawk. The Japan Air ...
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Air Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan researches future fighter technologies
22nd July 2020
Japan has not produced fighters since 2011, when the last F-2 was delivered. Therefore, Japanese companies such as Sumitomo Electric that produced radar domes and ...
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Land Warfare
PREMIUM: Japan improves its anti-amphibious landing missile
2nd July 2020
The Japanese MoD is developing an improved Multi-Purpose Missile System (MPMS) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), to counter the build-up of amphibious warfare ...
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Defence Notes
PREMIUM: Japan decides to set Aegis Ashore adrift
18th June 2020
Defence Minister Taro Kono suddenly announced on 15 June that Japan would discontinue its acquisition of Aegis Ashore. Boosters falling onto residential areas, after separating ...
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Air Warfare
Singapore Airshow 2020: Japan to form an ‘aerospace’ force
5th February 2020
The Japanese government is to change the name of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to the Japan Aerospace Self-Defense Force as early as Fiscal ...
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Land Warfare
The JGSDF selects a new rifle and pistol
12th December 2019
The Japanese MoD announced the selection results from separate competitions for a new rifle and pistol for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on 6 ...
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Digital Battlespace
DSEI Japan 2019: Japan offers mine detector for export
21st November 2019
The Japanese government previously prohibited the export of defence equipment, but it has been trying to change the situation recently. Nonetheless, there have been no ...
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Military Logistics
DSEI Japan 2019: JGSDF purchases Mule light vehicles
20th November 2019
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) exhibited its Mule Pro-FXT(EPS) multipurpose 4-wheeled light vehicle at DSEI Japan 2019, after the company signed a contract with the Acquisition, ...
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Digital Battlespace
DSEI Japan 2019: JGSDF acquires firing detection system
20th November 2019
ITCosmos exhibited it its Ground Oscillatory Wave Locating System (GOWLs) at DSEI Japan 2019, this being a generic name for a device that locates a ...
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Land Warfare
DSEI Japan 2019: Mitsubishi pushes forward its MAV
19th November 2019
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries exhibited its Mitsubishi Armored Vehicle (MAV), which has been developed using its own funds, at DSEI Japan 2019. The MAV is based ...
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Digital Battlespace
DSEI Japan 2019: Japan developing an active protection system
18th November 2019
Perhaps the most interesting item on display at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency’s (ATLA) Technology Symposium in Tokyo, held on 12-13 November, was an ...
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Digital Battlespace
D&S 2019: Japan developing a multipurpose surveillance radar
13th November 2019
The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) will develop a multipurpose surveillance radar that integrates the functions of various existing radars of the Japan Ground ...
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Land Warfare
Japan looks farther afield for next wheeled APC
18th September 2019
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on 10 September that the Mitsubishi Armored Vehicle (MAV), Patria AMV and General Dynamics Land Systems LAV ...
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Digital Battlespace
JGSDF reveals more EW equipment
29th August 2019
More elements of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) Network Electronic Warfare System (NEWS) appeared at the Fuji Firepower event in late August. The NEWS ...
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Unmanned Vehicles
New Japanese UGV bursts onto the scene
28th August 2019
The JGSDF displayed an EOD UGV for the first time at the Fuji Firepower demonstration on 25 August. The type manufactured by IHI Aerospace is ...
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Land Warfare
Type 19 truck-mounted howitzer breaks cover in Japan
24th August 2019
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is getting ready to introduce into service its newest SPH, a truck-mounted system that carries the nomenclature of Type ...
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Unmanned Vehicles
JGSDF intelligence units are using ScanEagle
11th July 2019
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) exhibited an Insitu ScanEagle UAV loaded on a Type 73 medium truck at the Fuji School on 7 July, ...
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Land Warfare
Japan-US jointly research next-gen amphibious vehicle
20th May 2019
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency announced on 13 May that the Japanese MoD and US DoD had signed an agreement to jointly research next-generation ...
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Land Warfare
JGSDF reorganises to protect the southwest islands
29th March 2019
Beginning on 7 April, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will deploy a unit of soldiers from the 15th Brigade on Miyako Island in Okinawa ...