Japan to reform ground forces
Japan’s Defence White Paper published yesterday has outlined some wide ranging changes to the Japan Self-Defence Force.
Although the main focus is on securing the air-sea environment there are also reforms to the Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) that will allow the organisation to improve its ability to rapidly respond to security crises.
Japan’s National Defense Programe Guidelines (NGDP) published in December 2013 highlighted an ‘increasingly severe’ security situation and desire to improve its joint operations.
Following these principles, the GSDF’s Central Readiness Force is being replaced by three rapid deployment divisions and four rapid deployment brigades. The single armoured division
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements]()
DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements
Elbit Systems UK was awarded the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) programme in January 2021, which will integrate with the UK’s army, marines and air force. The parent company has decades of heritage in the UK and is looking to compete for the Watchkeeper drone replacement.
-
![DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year]()
DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year
The Havoc uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) was unveiled at IDEX 2025 in February. It is built around a hybrid electric powertrain which provides silent running over medium distances and silent watch for extended periods of time.
-
![DSEI 2025: ST Engineering kicks off export drive for new Bronco 3]()
DSEI 2025: ST Engineering kicks off export drive for new Bronco 3
The original Bronco was developed to meet the requirements of the Singapore Army and subsequently built in large numbers and many configurations.
