Tag: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Japan Self-Defense Forces Participating in Second Iteration of U.S. Large Scale Global Exercise

Japan’s three military branches will participate in the United States’ Large Scale Global Exercise 2023, according to a Wednesday news release from the Japanese Defense Ministry’s Joint Staff Office (JSO). The Japan Self-Defense Forces will participate in the exercise around the Indo-Pacific from May 15 through Aug. 19. The drills hope to better the tactical […]

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) steams in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Asagiri-class destroyer JS Umigiri (DD 158), Republic of Korea (ROK) Great-class destroyer ROKS Yul Gok Yi (DDG 992), Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin-class destroyers ROKS Dae Jo young (DDH 977) and ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981), So Yang-class fast combat support ship ROKS So Yang (AOE 51), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) during a trilateral photo exercise on April 4, 2023. US Navy Photo

Japan’s three military branches will participate in the United States’ Large Scale Global Exercise 2023, according to a Wednesday news release from the Japanese Defense Ministry’s Joint Staff Office (JSO).

The Japan Self-Defense Forces will participate in the exercise around the Indo-Pacific from May 15 through Aug. 19. The drills hope to better the tactical skills of the JSDF, strengthen cooperation with the U.S. and allied forces, and enhance interoperability and through such exercises, according to the news release.

LSE is an exercise hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This year’s drills are the second version of the exercise following LSGE 21 two years ago.

The U.S. is coordinating with six other countries, but INDOPACOM did not disclose the names. LSGE 2021 involved the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both issued news releases stating that it would host the Proliferation Security Initiative exercise Eastern Endeavor 23 on May 31 off Jeju Island, in which naval and air units from the ROK, the United States, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Canada will interdict and board a ship suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. The exercise will happen in conjunction with the ROK’s hosting of the PSI 20th Anniversary meeting from May 30 through June 2 on Jeju Island.

ROK Minister of Defense Lee Jong-sup, along with delegates from the meeting, will observe the drills from amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112), according to the release, which did not disclose the ships or aircraft participating. But Japan’s JSO said Thursday that a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer would participate. Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Wang Geon (DDH-978), U.S. Navy destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69), JMSDF destroyer JS Hamagiri (DD-155) and Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac (FFH150) will join for the exercise, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was south of the main island of Honshu based on a JMSDF release on Thursday. The CSG currently includes carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with embarked Carrier Air Wing 17, cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108). The CSG was conducting tactical exercises from Tuesday to Wednesday with JMSDF destroyer JS Shiranui (DD-120). Both the Nimitz CSG and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are on standby to assist in disaster relief efforts on Guam after Super Typhoon Mawar blew over the island on Wednesday, USNI News previously reported.

Shiranui is part of the first surface unit of the JMSDF’s Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23) mission, according to the JMSDF, which has yet to announce the when the first and second IPD23 surface units will leave for the deployment. The JMSDF has been releasing regular activity reports on the third IPD23 surface unit that includes frigate JS Kumano (FFM-2), which left Yokosuka, Japan on April 20 and is currently at the Malaysian island of Langkawi participating in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition held there.

The first IPD23 surface unit features destroyer helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) and destroyers Shiranui and JS Samidare (DD-106), while the second IPD23 surface unit includes landing ship tank JS Shimokita (LST-4002).

Meanwhile, Russian intelligence ships have transited Japan’s straits over the past week on two occasions, based on JSO news releases. On Friday at 9.30 a.m. local time, Russian Vishnya-class intelligence ship Kurily (208) was sighted sailing southeast, 186 miles northwest of Cape Tappi, which lies on the northwest of the main island of Honshu, according to a Monday JSO News release. From Friday to Saturday it sailed northeast through the Tsugaru Strait, which separates the main islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, and entered the Pacific Ocean.

Minesweeper JS Aoshima (MSC-689) and JMSDF P-3C Orions Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) of Fleet Air Wing 2 based at JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base, Honshu monitored the Russian ship. Then on Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time, Russian Vishnya-class intelligence ship Kareliya (535) was sighted sailing east, 31 miles northeast of Rebun Island, which lies 31 miles from the northwest tip of the main island of Hokkaido. The Russian ship subsequently transited east through La Pérouse Strait, which separates Hokkaido from Russia’s Sakhalin island. Multipurpose support ship JS Suo (AMS-4302) along with a JMSDF P-3C Orion MPA of Fleet Air Wing 2 shadowed the Russian ship.

Two People’s Liberation Army Navy ships transited through the Miyako Strait on Wednesday, according to a JSO news release. Destroyer CNS Jinan (152) and frigate CNS Binzhou (515) were sighted that day at 5 a.m., sailing southeast, 81 miles northeast of Miyako Island. The two PLAN ships then sailed southeast through the Miyako Strait to enter the Pacific Ocean while monitored by minesweeper JS Miyajima (MSC-690) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion of Fleet Air Wing 5 based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa.

The two ships were sighted on Thursday sailing northwest, 62 miles south of Yonaguni Island at 4 a.m. local time and then sailed north between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan, according to a JSO release. The ships were then sighted sailing north in the East China Sea, 43 miles west of Uotsuri Island, which is part of the disputed Senkaku Islands group that is Japan administers and bot China and Taiwan claim. Destroyer JS Sawagiri (DD-157) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion of Fleet Air Wing 5 shadowed the PLAN ships.

PLAN ships routinely make circuit voyages around Japan’s southwestern islands. While the voyages through international waters are legal, Japan voiced concerned about the increased activity over the years, has boosted its military presence in the area and plans to reinforce garrisons there with improved anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile capabilities.

Meanwhile, the JMSDF will embark on its annual Overseas Training Cruise on Thursday. This year’s cruise includes training ship JS Kashima (TV-3508) and destroyer JS Hatakaze (DDG-171/TV-3520) embarking on a 149-day cruise to the Americas that will end on Oct. 20, according to a JMSDF release. The fleet will call in on The United States (Dutch Harbor, San Diego and Pearl Harbor), Canada (Victoria), Mexico (Manzanillo), Peru (Callao), Chile (Valparaiso), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Recife) and Colombia (Cartagena).

Destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD-117), with an embarked SH-60K Seahawk helicopter, will sail to the Hawaiian Islands to conduct missile firing training, the JMSDF announced on Friday. The deployment period is from June 2 through July 13. Suzutsuki is armed with the Type 90 surface-to-surface missile and the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) surface-to-air missile. The release did not say whether the destroyer will fire either or both of the missiles during the training event.

Japan Awards $2.8B in Contracts for New Standoff Weapons

Japan’s Ministry of Defense signed four contracts worth a total of $2.83 billion last week with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for its standoff defense capability project, according to a Tuesday statement. The standoff defense capability project is expected to provide the Japan Self Defense Forces (SDF) with long-range strike capabilities against ships and amphibious forces invading Japan, […]

Type 12 Anti-ship missile

Japan’s Ministry of Defense signed four contracts worth a total of $2.83 billion last week with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for its standoff defense capability project, according to a Tuesday statement.

The standoff defense capability project is expected to provide the Japan Self Defense Forces (SDF) with long-range strike capabilities against ships and amphibious forces invading Japan, particularly at its remote islands, such as the disputed Senkaku islands administered by Japan and its southwestern islands.

It is part of the Defense Buildup Plan issued in December 2022, which aims to significantly improve Japan’s military and defense industry capabilities.

The Ministry of Defense signed the contract for improved ground-launched Type 12 anti-ship missiles on April 3. Production will begin this year and deliveries are scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

JSDF Image

The MoD signed a second contract for the development of the improved Type 12 anti-ship missiles in all variants – surface, ship and air-launched – on April 7. The contract covers the development of the missile from 2023 to 2027, although the program for the missile’s development began in 2021, according to a statement from the Japanese MOD.

Japan’s FY 2023 Defense Budget included $964 million to be allocated for the development and production of the upgraded Type 12 Surface to Surface missile (SSM) for all three variants, with the aim of deploying the upgraded missile as early as possible

The Japanese MOD also signed the contract for mass production of hypersonic glide missiles on April 6 with production to begin in 2023 and delivery in 2026-2027. The hypersonic glide missiles will be launched from ground units garrisoned on Japanese islands or deployed to Japan’s remote islands in a similar manner to the U.S. Marines concept of operating small units with anti-ship capabilities around the first island chain, according to a MOD graphic issued in a release on the announcement,

The MOD signed the contract for the development of a long-range submarine-launched anti-ship missile on April 7, which plans for development from 2023-2027. The missile is to be launched from torpedo tubes, although Japan is planning to develop a new submarine that will carry a vertically launched missile system.

The MOD is expected to sign more contracts for defense procurement and development in the coming months, after Japan’s Parliament approved the FY2023 budget of 114.381 trillion yen ($868 billion) March 28, which included 6.82 trillion yen ($51.3 billion) for defense, making it the largest defense budget on record. Key program contracts expected to be signed for include the procurement of Tomahawk cruise missiles and the construction of 2 Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV).

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration pledged to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities within a five-year period in order to meet the threats posed by China, Russia and North Korea.

JSDF Image

Japan’s budget includes 1.42 trillion yen ($10.6 billion) for standoff defense capabilities. Notable programs for standoff defense capabilities include:

  • $383 million for research and production of Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), with production geared toward deployment as early as possible
  • $1.5 billion for development of an upgraded Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) with an extended range as well.
  • $440 million for research on hypersonic weapons
  • $257 million for research on a new anti-ship missile, developing a prototype of a modular, multi-mission missile that feature longer-range, lower radar cross-section (RCS) and higher mobility technologies
  • $1.58 billion to procure Tomahawk cruise missiles to be launched from vertical launch systems and $828 million for the relevant equipment in relation to it for installation on Aegis-equipped ships

Other programs under the FY 2023 defense budget include the purchase of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for the F-35A Lightning II fighters and procurement of Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-Off Missile (JASSM) for upgraded F-15 fighters.

The FY 2023 defense budget also aimed to improve Japan’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities with 987.7 billion yen ($7.43 billion) allocated, which includes 220.8 billion yen ($1.66 billion) to begin the process of construction of two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV), which will be two destroyers dedicated to the Ballistic Missile Defence task.

Japan currently has eight Aegis-equipped DDGs capable of the BMD task, but these destroyers were meant to operate as air defense destroyers for maritime operations but are now forced to solely focus on the BMD taskings. The two ASEVs will free up the eight DDGs for other tasks.

The FY 2023 allocation for the ASEV is to cover procurements of components for the ships. FY 2023 will also cover the ship design phase, with construction to start in FY 2024 and FY 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Chinese War Ships, Cutters Still Sailing Near Philippine Holdings in South China Sea

China Coastguard ships and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) corvette continue to operate around Philippine holdings in the Spratly Islands along with Chinese-flagged civilian ships, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday. Patrol vessel BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) conducted a Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) mission to the Kalayaan Island Group from March 16 to 21, during […]

Philippine Coast Guard Photo

China Coastguard ships and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) corvette continue to operate around Philippine holdings in the Spratly Islands along with Chinese-flagged civilian ships, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday.

Patrol vessel BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) conducted a Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) mission to the Kalayaan Island Group from March 16 to 21, during which a number of foreign vessels, including a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) corvette were sighted in the area. The Kalayaan Island Group consists of the Philippines’ holdings in the disputed Spratly Islands, with the Philippines ownership of the nine features disputed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

At Sabina Shoal, Malapascua monitored the presence of at least 20 unidentified Chinese and Vietnamese vessels. An image released on the PCG’s social media page stated 20 China vessels were located at 1.56 nautical miles southeast of Sabina Shoal on March 16.

The PCG patrol ship also encountered two China Coast Guard ships, CCG 5304 and CCG 5305 near the shoal.

Multiple radio challenges were issued by the PCG vessel to the CCG ships but no response was received, and Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) were deployed to disperse the foreign flagged vessels in and around the shoal, according to the PCG.

Off Pag-Asa Island, internationally known as Thitu island, Malapascua encountered a PLAN Type 056 Jiangdao-class corvette with hull number 649 within the 12 nautical mile limit of Pag-Asa.

The hull number identified the PLAN corvette as CNS Guangyuan (649) – likely the same ship that has been loitering off Pag-Asa since March 4 and sighted again on March 9. In both cases the PLAN corvette was not identified by hull number. The PCG ship issued multiple radio challenges while the PLAN corvette responded with its own challenge, according to the release.

While patrolling Ayungin Shoal, also called Second Thomas Shoal internationally, Malapascua monitored the presence of China Coast Guard ship CCG 5201 and issued radio challenges to it. CCG 5201 proceeded to shadow the PCG ship at a distance of approximately 1,600 yards, and during the encounter at Ayungin Shoal CCG 5201 came as close as 1.2 nautical miles from the grounded Philippine Navy landing ship tank BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57). An image released of CCG 5201 shadowing Malapascua stated the CCG ship as being 2NM northeast of Ayungin Shoal on March 21.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea received the post-operation report for the MARPAT mission of Malapascua, and the PCG is working in conjunction with the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Area Task Force – West (ATF-WEST) to monitor and respond to the presence of foreign vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the release.

The PCG has been mounting a campaign of publicly disclosing the presence of Chinese ships around the Philippines holdings in the Spratlys, in addition to embarking Filipino and international journalists on its air patrols to draw attention to China’s activities there, which the Philippines see as a violation of its sovereignty.

China continues to assert is the Spratly Islands fall within its control.

“China has sovereignty over Nansha Islands (the Chinese name for the Spratlys) and its adjacent waters and jurisdiction over relevant waters. It is legitimate and lawful for Chinese vessels to operate in waters under China’s jurisdiction,” China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said March 10.

Meanwhile, PLAN surface ships transited the Tsushima Strait to enter the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, according to a Thursday release by the Joint Staff Office (JSO) of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

Destroyer CNS Qiqihar (121) was sighted traveling east in an area 240km west of the Goto Islands on Tuesday at 1 p.m., and an hour later, cruiser CNS Anshan (103) and replenishment ship CNS Taihu (889) were sighted sailing east together in an area 300km west of the Goto Islands.

On Wednesday, the PLAN ships made separate transits through the Tsushima Strait with Qiqihar transiting by itself while Anshan and Taihu transited together.

The release stated that Japan Maritime Self Defense Force fast attack craft JS Shirataka (PG-829) and minesweeper JS Toyoshima (MSC-685) along with JMSDF P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) of Fleet Air Wing 1 stationed at JMSDF Kanoya Air Base, Kyushu and Fleet Air Wing 4 based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Honshu shadowed the PLAN ships.

Japan Faces Readiness Hurdle As it Modernizes Military, Former Defense Chief Says

Japan’s toughest hurdle, as it launches an unprecedented military modernization program and doubles defense spending, is the operational readiness of its air, naval and land forces, a former chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said Thursday. Japan is “running out of maintenance capabilities” and stockpiles of fuel and ammunition for a protracted conflict, retired Adm. […]

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 Chinook, lands on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during a bilateral simulated casualty pick up in the Philippine Sea, March 10, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

Japan’s toughest hurdle, as it launches an unprecedented military modernization program and doubles defense spending, is the operational readiness of its air, naval and land forces, a former chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said Thursday.

Japan is “running out of maintenance capabilities” and stockpiles of fuel and ammunition for a protracted conflict, retired Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano said in response to questions from USNI News during an online forum hosted by a Korean-American security policy group.

Kawano pointed to the demands placed on repair and stockpiles to defend Ukraine following Russia’s invasion a little more than a year ago.

By spending defense funds on tanks, submarines and aircraft, Tokyo “did not have enough to invest” in ammunition and fuel, Kawano said. He welcomed the increase in security spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product, a NATO-set standard, because it allows more funds to go to its coast guard, intelligence integration with allies and rebuilding war stocks.

“Long-range missiles alone will not be sufficient,” Kawano said.

Japan needs precise information on targeting and damage assessment from integrated sources. Later, he added that the reorganization of the JSDF’s command structure and headquarters will make coordination with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command more efficient in emergencies. Japan’s new joint command is expected to be operational in 2024.

The reorganization also allows closer cooperation between Japan’s naval and coast guard when dealing with China’s People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia operating in disputed waters, Yasuyo Sakata, a professor at Kanda University of International Studies, said at a Stimson Center forum earlier Thursday.

Japan is considering buying Tomahawk cruise missiles to field the counter-strike capability more quickly than producing its own intermediate range missiles. Since the Japanese have never had these weapons before, “the [J]SDF will need many kinds of exercises and experiences” to become proficient in their operation, Hosei University’s Madaka Fukuda said at the Stimson forum.

Kawano identified the period between 2024 and 2027 as the most “dangerous window of crisis” over Taiwan’s future as a self-governing democracy. Pointing to Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong and its increased pressure on the Senkaku Islands that are close to Taiwan, he said these missiles can provide another layer of defense. “For the first time” they allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces “to attack enemy territory.”

Kawano said President Joe Biden’s clear statements on how the United States would respond to a Chinese military attack on Taiwan clears up any “misunderstanding” of what Washington would do in that scenario. He added that Japan would be a logistical base for U.S. operations and could get drawn more deeply into the conflict if circumstances change. The shallow waters around Taiwan do not require Japan’s advanced anti-submarine warfare skills, but Japan “can contribute to the defense of Guam with ASW capabilities,” Kawano said.

“Close cooperation with the United States is essential,” he said multiple times during the 90-minute forum. In light of Russia’s threat to use nuclear missiles in Ukraine, “Japan has to re-think its nuclear policy to deter,” Kawano said. This could include stationing U.S. nuclear weapons in Japan. He added that any change in stationing remains “a high barrier” politically. Kawano said Tokyo would retain veto power over Japanese-based nuclear weapon use.

While Japan’s announcement that it will field the counter-strike missile capability has garnered a lot of attention, Kawano, who served as the head of the JSDF, said the military is facing “a very serious problem of recruiting” that could have an impact on Tokyo’s ability to react to a crisis. He identified the recruiting problem as twofold: the pool of potential enlistees and officers is shrinking and fewer are interested in serving.

About 250,000 Japanese are serving in the all-volunteer JSDF now. The pool of 18- to 26-year-olds, the prime recruiting pool, has dropped from more than 17 million in 1994 to 10.5 million now. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is about 2,000 short of its authorized end-strength of 45,307.

“Japan is an island,” and as “a maritime country, it should invest in naval and air capability,” Kawano said. He said Japan’s security concentration is on the East China Sea, which would includes the Korean Peninsula and mainland China.

“The current security environment is becoming ever more challenging” since Tokyo is now facing potentially three nuclear-armed adversaries: China, North Korea and Russia, he said. North Korea performed another intercontinental missile test shortly before Kawano spoke and South Korea’s president met with Japan’s prime minister for a summit. The missile firing occurred as the U.S. and South Korea were concluding the largest military exercise in five years that the two nations plan to expand.

At the Stimson Center event, Sakata said Japan now “sees a very tough neighborhood in Northeast Asia.”

One of the goals in the meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was to re-establish closer security ties between Seoul and Tokyo. The two U.S. allies broke off sharing intelligence data during a trade dispute in the late 1990s that had its roots in the Japanese colonial occupation of the peninsula in the first half of the 20th century.

Japan’s new security strategy “acknowledged South Korea as an Indo-Pacific security partner,” Sakata said.

Earlier this year, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, speaking to the same security group as Kawano, said it’s “no longer a luxury, but a necessity” that the three nations work together to meet the security challenges posed by North Korea, China and Russia.

China Ships Still Operating Near Pag-asa, Says Philippine Coast Guard

China reduced the number of ships off the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago Pag-asa, according to officials in the Philippines said this week. A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight showed fewer Chinese Maritime Militia ships around the island internationally known as Thitu island compared to the previous week, according to a Friday release. There […]

A China Coast Guard cutter off the coast of Pag-asa Island on March 3, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Photo

China reduced the number of ships off the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago Pag-asa, according to officials in the Philippines said this week.

A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight showed fewer Chinese Maritime Militia ships around the island internationally known as Thitu island compared to the previous week, according to a Friday release. There is also a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship operating nearby – a Type 056 Jiangdao-class corvette.

“The PCG noted a decrease in the number of suspected CMM vessels observed over Pag-asa – from forty-two (42) last week to fifteen (15) on 09 March 2023,” according to the release, which added that the Jiangdao class corvette and China Coast Guard (CGC) ship 5203 continue to loiter within Pag-asa Island’s 12-nautical mile territorial sea since last week.

The PCG flight also observed CCG ship 5304 approximately six nautical miles from the grounded Philippine Navy landing ship tank BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57), near Ayungin Shoal, also called Second Thomas Shoal internationally.

Former USS Harnett County (LST-821), which operated in the U.S Navy from World War II to the Vietnam War, before transferring to the Republic of South Vietnam Navy in 1970. It arrived in the Philippines in 1975 following the republic’s fall and subsequently was transferred to the Philippine Navy in 1976. Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded at the shoal in 1999 by the Philippines to stake its claim to the shoal and to serve as an outpost there that is manned by a garrison of a dozen Philippine Marines.

Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were down to 17 compared to 26 observed at Sabrine Shoal – also known as Escoda Schoal – two weeks ago, according to the release, which also stated that during the flight, the PCG flight received a total of seven radio challenges from the CCG vessels: four challenges while over Pag-asa Island’s territorial sea and three while over the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal. The release did not state which aircraft type conducted the MDA flight. The PCG operates two Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders and a single Cessna 208 Caravan in its wing inventory. The flight also embarked a small number of Philippine and foreign media, Reuters reported.

China, along with Taiwan and Vietnam, does not recognize Philippine sovereignty over Manila’s holdings in the Spratlys as all three nations claim the archipelago in its entirety. China foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a Friday press conference that China has sovereignty over the Spratlys and its adjacent waters and thus it was reasonable and legal for it to carry out activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction, according to Reuters.

Australia, Japan and the United States conducted the Trilateral ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) Exchange at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Honshu, from Monday to Wednesday, according to releases from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).

The exercise involved a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, (MPA) a JMSDF EP-3 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, a JMSDF OP-3C reconnaissance aircraft, a JASDF RC-2 ELINT aircraft and a United States Air Force RC-135 electronic and signal intelligence aircraft. The exercise enabled the exchange of information, improved tactical capabilities and interoperability among participants, according to the release.

The JMSDF aircraft were part of JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31 stationed at MCAS Iwakuni while the RAAF P-8A has been operating from Kadena airbase, Okinawa, since early February under Operation Argos, the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) commitment to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea. The RAAF P-8A has been conducting surveillance and monitoring missions on ships suspected to be operating in breach of these sanctions with its deployment to end in early March.

On Thursday, the JMSDF issued a release stating that a JMSDF EP-3 ELINT aircraft from Fleet Air Wing 31 conducted Despatched Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Training and a bilateral exercise with U.S Navy EP-3E ELINT aircraft and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington state, from Feb. 24 until Tuesday. The JMSDF routinely dispatches its ships, submarines and aircraft to conduct bilateral, specialized training in the United States with the most recent notable instance being in November last year when two JMSDF destroyers conducted Ballistic Missile Defence missile firings.

Chinese Warship, Cutter Violate Pag-asa Island Territorial Sea, Says Philippine Coast Guard

A Chinese warship, a China Coast Guard ship and 42 Maritime Militia ships operated within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea around Pag-Asa Island, internationally known as Thitu island, in the Spratly Island archipelago Saturday, according to a Philippine Coast Guard statement. The PCG released a low resolution of the People’s Liberation Army warship while the China Coast […]

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy off the coast of Pag-asa Island on March 3, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Photo

A Chinese warship, a China Coast Guard ship and 42 Maritime Militia ships operated within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea around Pag-Asa Island, internationally known as Thitu island, in the Spratly Island archipelago Saturday, according to a Philippine Coast Guard statement.

The PCG released a low resolution of the People’s Liberation Army warship while the China Coast Guard ship was identified as CCG 5203. The Chinese ships operated 4.5 to 8 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island, which is administered by the Philippines.

The PLAN ship and CCG 5203 were observed to be slowly loitering within the surrounding waters of Pag-asa Island with a distance of 8 nautical miles and 4 nautical miles respectively. Fourteen suspected China Maritime Militia ships were anchored within the vicinity of Pag-asa Cay 3 – an estimated distance of 4 nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island – while the other 28 suspected maritime militia ships were monitored to be within the area of Pag-asa Cay 4.

“The observed location of the Chinese vessels fall squarely within Pag-asa Island’s 12 [nautical miles] territorial sea,” according to the PCG statement. “Their continuing unauthorized presence is clearly inconsistent with the right of innocent passage and a blatant violation of the Philippines’ territorial integrity.”

China’s Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on the statement so far. Last month, China’s Foreign Ministry denied that a China Coast Guard ship directed a military-grade laser light at PCG patrol vessel BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) on Feb. 6.

A China Coast Guard cutter off the coast of Pag-asa Island on March 3, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Photo

Pag-Asa Island was originally held by Taiwan, but the garrison withdrew in 1971 to avoid a typhoon, and the island was then taken by the Philippines military in its absence.

In 2001, the Philippines placed a civilian population there with an estimated 300 to 400 residents currently living on the island. It serves as the administrative capital of the Municipality of Kalayaan, which is the district covering all Philippines holdings in the Spratly Islands though Pag-Asa is the only one with a civilian population. China, Taiwan and Vietnam do not recognise Philippine sovereignty over Pag-Asa with Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry stating in 2021 that all activities violating Vietnam’s legal and historic sovereignty over the Spratly Islands were illegal in response to Philippine plans to upgrade the facilities on the island. China, Taiwan and Vietnam all claim the entirety of the Islands, while the other claimants, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines claim the portions close to their territories.

Over in Thailand, Cobra Gold 23 field exercise since it formally began on Feb. 27. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which includes amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) along with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU, are taking part in the exercise.

Anchorage conducted a casualty evacuation drill on Thurday, while Makin Island and John P..Murtha have been involved in amphibious drills along with Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) landing ship tank ROKS Il Chul Bong (LST-688) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) landing platform dock HTMS Angthong (LPD-791). U.S, Korean and Thai Marines conduct amphibious assault landing exercise that commenced on Thursday. Elements of the U.S Army’s 7th Infantry Division have been conducting live fire and field exercises with their Royal Thai Army (RTA) counterparts while personnel from the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a parachute drop and field exercise with the Thai Army on Friday at Thanarat Drop Zone in Thailand.

Exercise Iron Fist 23 is ongoing around the southwestern islands of Japan with the 31st MEU and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), along with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S Navy, conducting an amphibious drill on Tokuno Island Friday.

On Wednesday, amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) and amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD-20) completed a bilateral mine counter-measure transit in the East China Sea with JMSDF minesweepers JS Hirashima (MSC -601) and JS Yakushima (MSC-602), and landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) as part of the exercise. On Thursday, America conducted joint flight operations with JGSDF CH-47 helicopters with the CH-47s landing, refuelling and flying off the ship.

The Navy and Marine participation in Cobra Gold 23 and Iron Fist 23 is overseen by Task Force 76/3, a temporary joint U.S. Navy and Marine Corps command formed from the merging the staffs of the Navy’s Task Force 76, 7th Fleet and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The task force is carrying out an experimental period of operations in the Indo-Pacific region to determine the best way forward for an integrated Navy and Marines Corps command.

“Task Force 76/3 is currently conducting distributed operations; Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand and Exercise Iron Fist in Japan. Both training exercises strengthen our relationships with our allies, and promote the sharing of ideas and procedures,” according to a Monday social media post from the task force.

Royal Australian Air Force Reactivating Squadron to Operate New MQ-4C Tritons

The Royal Australian Air Force will reactivate a squadron for the three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicles it will start operating in 2024, Australian Defense officials announced Friday. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Chief of the RAAF Air Marshal Robert Chipman announced the reformation of the squadron in a joint […]

The Royal Australian Air Force’s first MQ-4C Triton. Northrop Grumman Photo

The Royal Australian Air Force will reactivate a squadron for the three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicles it will start operating in 2024, Australian Defense officials announced Friday.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Chief of the RAAF Air Marshal Robert Chipman announced the reformation of the squadron in a joint press conference at the Avalon Airshow held in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The squadron was deactivated in 1989. The new squadron will be based at RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia, though the MQ-4s will operate out of RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory, Marles said.

“It can fly for up to 24 hours,  and it will be able to provide the persistent reconnaissance and surveillance of our northern maritime approaches, which is so important in terms of the defense of our nation,” said Marles, who added that the MQ-4 will also be able to conduct surveillance on illegal fishing not only in Australian waters, but also in the waters of its Pacific neighbors.

“So it’s a really exciting capability,” he added. “We’ve got three on order. The first comes into the possession of the Commonwealth next year.”

Marles declined to say whether Australia would purchase additional MQ-4s beyond the three currently under contract. A 2016 Australian Defense White Paper said Australia would acquire a total of seven. But former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in June 2018 announced Australia would buy six.

“But at this stage, we’ve got three that are on order, and that’s the extent of our acquisition” Marles said.

So far, Australia is the only other operator of the MQ-4 besides the U.S Navy.

RAAF No. 9 Squadron was formed in 1939, operating amphibian aircraft deployed on Royal Australian Navy (RAN) cruisers, before getting disbanded in 1944. It was then reestablished in 1962 as a search and rescue squadron initially but transitioned to providing airlift for the Australian Army. It operated UH-1 Iroquois helicopters and took part in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1971. The squadron was reequipped with S-70A Blackhawk helicopters in 1988 before getting disbanded again in 1989, shortly after the Australian government decided in 1986 the RAAF would transfer its battlefield helicopter capability to the Australian Army.

The RAAF currently has two units providing maritime Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – No. 10 Squadron operating the AP-3C Orion and No. 11 Squadron operating the P-8A Poseidon.

Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) salute the national ensign after arriving at Royal Australian Navy HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Feb. 27. Australian Department of Defense Photo

In Australia on Monday, submarine USS Asheville (SSN-758) arrived at HMAS Stirling naval base, Garden Island, Western Australia. Asheville was in Australia for drills with RAN submarine forces during its planned patrol in the Indo-Pacific, according to a Thursday news release from the U.S Embassy in Canberra.

On Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that submarine RFS Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (B-274), which is part of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet, carried out the successful submerged firing of a 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missile in the Sea of Japan. The missile successfully hit its designated coastal target, which was over 1000 kilometers away at the Surkum missile range in the Khabarovsk region, the Russian MoD said. Russian Pacific Fleet ships, naval aircraft and unmanned aerial systems established a cordon around the submarine’s firing area for safety, according to the Ministry.

Meanwhile, on Thursday a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer and frigate were sighted at 4 a.m. local time sailing southeast in an area 100 kilometers west of Kume Island, which lies east of Okinawa, according to a news release issued by the Joint Staff Office (JSO) of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

Hull numbers and images provided identify the ships as destroyer CNS Ningbo (139) and frigate CNS Xiangtan (531). The two PLAN ships subsequently sailed southeast through the Miyako Strait to enter the Pacific Ocean, according to the JSO, which added that Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Akebono (DD-108) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion of Fleet Air Wing 5 stationed at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, monitored the PLAN ships.

USS Nimitz Back in the South China Sea After Singapore Port Visit

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group departed Singapore on Thursday after a port visit and is now back in the South China Sea, the Navy announced on Friday. The Nimitz CSG – including carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and destroyers USS Decatur (DDG-73), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) – arrived in Singapore at […]

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams through the South China Sea. Nimitz in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations on Jan. 13, 2022. U.S. Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group departed Singapore on Thursday after a port visit and is now back in the South China Sea, the Navy announced on Friday.

The Nimitz CSG – including carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and destroyers USS Decatur (DDG-73), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) – arrived in Singapore at Changi Naval Base on Saturday, a day before the Chinese New Year period, known as Spring Festival in China, began on Sunday. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) generally has a less intensive operational deployment during this time, similar to western navies during the Christmas holiday period.

Prior to its arrival in Singapore, the Nimitz CSG operated in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea, where it performed “maritime strike training, anti-submarine operations, integrated multi-domain and joint training between surface and air elements, and flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, according to a Navy news release. The Nimitz CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3 and chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16. The two other ships that are part of the CSG, cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), are currently operating independently in the Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean, respectively, according to Pentagon photo releases.

Also in the South China Sea is USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26), along with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which also includes with USS Anchorage (LPD-23), left Naval Base San Diego, Calif., in November for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Anchorage wrapped up its participation in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Sri Lanka 2023 on Thursday, according to a Navy statement.

The exercise began on Jan. 19 in Colombo at two Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bases and also in the Laccadive Sea, according to a 7th Fleet news release.

“The exercise focused on increasing proficiency in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and maritime security capabilities,” the release reads.

The U.S. Navy sent Anchorage and the 13th MEU embarked to the sea phase of the exercise, while the Sri Lanka Navy sent two offshore patrol vessels – SLNS Gajabahu (P 626) and SLNS Vijayabahu (P 627), according to 7th Fleet. Sri Lanka’s air force, the Japan Maritime-Self Defense Force, and the Maldives National Defense Force also joined for the drills.

“Additional exercises conducted at sea included divisional tactics, visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS), replenishment-at-sea approaches, and reconnaissance and gunnery exercises. Helicopters aboard Anchorage successfully carried out VBSS exercises, embarkation, and disembarkation of personnel and material on the decks of the SLN ships involved in the sea phase,” according to the 7th Fleet release.

JS Suzutsuki conducted a bilateral exercise with the French Navy Charles de Gaulle CSG in the vicinity of Western Arabian Sea. JMSDF Photo

Nearby in the Indian Ocean, the French Navy’s Charles De Gaulle CSG continues its deployment after wrapping up the Varuna joint exercise with the Indian Navy on Jan. 20. The Charles De Gaulle CSG currently includes carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91), destroyers FS Forbin (D620) and FS Provence (D652), and replenishment ship FS Marne (A360).

Meanwhile, on Friday the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force issued a news release announcing that “Iron Fist 23” will take place from Feb. 16 to March 12 between the JGSDF and the U.S. Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The drills will take place near the JGSDF Hijyudai Maneuver Area on Kyushu, Tokunoshima Island and Kikaijima Island, both part of the Amani Islands lying between Kyushu and Okinawa and Camp Hansen, Okinawa, while aviation units will largely stage out of JGSDF Camp Takayubaru on Kyushu. JGSDF forces taking part in the exercise will be the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), 1st Airborne Brigade, and 1st Helicopter Brigade, along with the Western Army Aviation Unit. The U.S. Marine Corps’ 31st MEU will participate, while the U.S. Navy and JMSDF will participate with the America ARG – which features amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD-20), and dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) – and LST JS Osumi (LST-4001), respectively.

According to the JGSDF news release, this Iron Fist is the first time the drills will take place with both III MEF and in the Western Pacific. The goal is to perform joint operations between Japan and the U.S.

Meanwhile, in Japan, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) is about to begin a training exercise, according to a Marine Corps news release issued on Friday.

“This will be the eighth exercise the MLR has participated in since re-designating last year,” Col. Timothy Brady, the commanding officer of the 3rd MLR, said in the release. “We’ve progressed from wargaming Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations in a classroom to now conducting EABO at a service-level training exercise operating as a Stand-in Force under a Division headquarters. MLR-TE gives us a chance to train hard, refine tactics and procedures, and continue to rapidly develop this force of the future.”

The Marine Corps plans to take lessons learned from the training event and apply them to Balikatan 2023 in the Philippines in April, according to the release.

In the Philippine Sea, U.S Navy ships from commander, Task Force (CTF) 70 and commander, Task Force (CTF) 71 finished the Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) drills, according to a separate news release from 7th Fleet.

“Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) SWATT 2023 was the first multi-international iteration of the exercise with participation from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF),” the release reads.

CNS Yuhengxing (798) Japanese MoD photo

For the U.S. Navy, cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Shiloh (CG-67), destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) and replenishment ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) participated in the exercise, while destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG-178) joined for the JMSDF. From Jan. 15 through Jan. 23, Ashigara conducted tactical exercises with those U.S. ships and replenishment ship USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194) from south of Kanto, near Okinawa, south of Shikoku Island, according to a news release the JMSDF issued Monday. A Friday JMSDF release said replenishment ship JS Oumi (AOE-426) conducted a replenishment exercise with Antietam on Thursday near Okinawa.

Also on Thursday, a Chinese Dongdiao-class surveillance vessel was sighted at 10 a.m. local time that day sailing northwest in an area 150 kilometers east of Miyako Island, the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense said in a news release. The hull number and image in the release identified the ship as CNS Yuhengxing (798) and the ship subsequently sailed northwest through the Miyako Strait into the East China Sea. The release noted that the PLAN ship had transited southeast through the Miyako Strait on Jan. 19, and that minesweeper JS Shishijima (MSC-691) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing 5 based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa monitored.

Japan Issues Military Equipment Wishlist That Includes Hypersonic Weapons, Unmanned Systems

Japan’s Ministry of Defense this week issued a document detailing new military equipment it’s developing, with rationales and status updates for programs ranging from hypersonic weapons to unmanned underwater vehicles. The capabilities include research on hypersonic cruise missiles, the development of high-speed glide bombs for island defense, target observation munitions, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) control […]

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of Japan Flight Test Mission-07 (JFTM-07), held off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii, on Nov. 18, 2022. MDA Photo

Japan’s Ministry of Defense this week issued a document detailing new military equipment it’s developing, with rationales and status updates for programs ranging from hypersonic weapons to unmanned underwater vehicles.

The capabilities include research on hypersonic cruise missiles, the development of high-speed glide bombs for island defense, target observation munitions, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) control technology, development of new sea mines, improved Type 12 anti-ship missiles, the mass production and deployment of high-speed glide bombs, mass production of the improved SH-60K anti-submarine warfare helicopter, a new anti-ship missile for maritime patrol aircraft, the mass production of torpedoes with a silent power unit and the acquisition of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The disclosure is in line with a 2019 MoD enactment on measures for clarification and transparency on new military equipment.

On hypersonic cruise missiles, the MoD said its study found only domestic research and development candidates met the operational concept and performance requirements. It selected a domestic operational research demonstration to develop prototypes for evaluation and funding for the research under the Fiscal Year 2023 defense budget request. (Japan’s fiscal year begins on April 1. The MoD did not disclose the amount allocated in the document, but the MoD’s FY 2023 budget request asked for 58.5 billion yen, or $454 million.

For high-speed glide bombs, the MoD said it will develop them with long ranges and make them capable of traveling at supersonic speeds and high altitudes from various points in Japan to deal with invasions of islands. An MoD study concluded that only domestic candidates can meet the requirements for operational concept and performance, so Japan will pursue domestic development. The FY 2023 budget request sought 200.3 billion yen, or $1.54 billion, for development. A second entry on building and deploying high-speed glide bombs said that while Japan expects to finish research into the bombs by FY 2025, the bombs could operationally deploy as early as possible. This could potentially happen before the research finishes, so acquisition costs were factored into the FY 2023 budget request. It did not give an exact timeframe as to when manufacturing and deployment will begin.

A tomahawk cruise missile launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) for a live-fire exercise during Valiant Shield 2018 on Sept. 18, 2018. US Navy Photo

On the Tomahawk cruise missiles, the MoD said they are necessary to acquire a stand-off missile capability for defense as soon as possible and that the Tomahawk met the criteria, like acquisition schedule and performance. The acquisition costs were included in the FY 2023 budget request, which sough 211.3 billion yen, or $1.62 billion, along with an additional 110 billion yen, or $847 million, for software, equipment, technology transfer fees and training.

It’s unclear if the target observation munitions entry referred solely to loitering munitions or unmanned air vehicles to provide target acquisition data for other weapon systems or a combination of both. Again the MoD chose to go the domestic development path, as it was the only was to meet Japan’s requirements and development expenses that were factored into the FY 2023 budget request. The MoD said it will not disclose overall procurement cost, per unit cost, and production cost because it could suggest the number of munitions procured. But the life cycle cost is expected to be 118.2 billion yen, or $911 million.

For research on UUV control technology, Japan will acquire and build two types of domestic UUVs to test out actual operations at sea, with the test UUVs meant to control smaller UUVs. UUV1 will only be a testing vehicle, while UUV2 may evolve into a mass-produced operational model once the tests are completed. Japan will also domestically develop new compact and lightweight sea mines that can be deployed from various platforms and remotely controlled. It’s unclear when these would get operationally fielded.

Development of the improved Type 12 ground-launched anti-ship missile is expected to finish by FY 2025, though the missile will deploy as soon as possible. The MoD did not detail what the improvements would be, but it has already disclosed plans to extend the range from 200 kilometers to over 1000 kilometers. The MoD included 127.7 billion yen, or $985 million, in the FY 2023 budget for both research and development, along with production and acquisition.

A new anti-ship missile will deploy on Japan’s maritime patrol aircraft to replace the existing ASM-1C and Harpoon anti-ship missiles in service, though the type and manufacture has not been disclosed. Pictures of the missiles during flight tests show that it’s likely an improved air-launched version of the Type 17 anti-ship missile. A submarine-launched torpedo with a quieter power unit will also come online, though the document did not detail whether this is an improved version of the Type 18 torpedo or a new torpedo design. It only said that the new power unit is quieter than the one in existing Type 18 torpedoes. Per unit costs were also not disclosed.

The improved version of the Japanese-produced Mitsubishi Heavy Industries SH-60K, – built under license from Sikorsky – commonly known outside the MoD as SH-60L, had an average unit production cost of 8.1 billion yen, or $62 million, as of August 2022, according to the MoD document. The life cycle cost is projected at 1248 billion yen, or $9.61 billion, when 80 aircraft are procured. Though not stated in the document, the helicopter is expected to enter service by the end of FY 2023, replacing the current SH-60Ks in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Japanese Scrambled Fewer Fighters Against Foreign Aircraft Last Year, Says MoD

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force carried out a total of 612 fighter scrambles against foreign aircraft by the end of the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022, a decrease from a total of 785 scrambles in the same period for FY 2021, according to a report released Friday by the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s […]

Russian and Chinese aircraft flight patterns in FY 2022. Japanese Ministry of Defense Photo.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force carried out a total of 612 fighter scrambles against foreign aircraft by the end of the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022, a decrease from a total of 785 scrambles in the same period for FY 2021, according to a report released Friday by the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

Of the scrambles for the FY 2022 period, which covers April 1 through Dec. 31, 75 percent were against Chinese aircraft, 22 percent against Russian aircraft and three percent against other aircraft. Zero scrambles took place against North Korean and Taiwanese aircraft. In FY 2021, the JASDF carrier out three scrambles against Taiwanese aircraft.

Japan’s fiscal year is calculated as beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 the following year. During the the third quarter of FY 2022, the number of scrambles broken down by area commands was 86 for the Northern Air Defense Command, 21 for the Central Air Defense Command, 91 for the Western Air Defense Command and 414 for the Southwestern Air Defense Command. The larger number of scrambles for the Southwestern Air Defense Command is expected, given that the People’s Liberation Army Navy carrier CNS Liaoning (16) conducted two deployments in the command’s area of responsibility. A number of Chinese aircraft and unmanned air vehicles also conducted operations in the area.

A map in the report showing the flight paths of Russian and Chinese aircraft throughout the third quarter showed that Russian flight activity took place around North East and Northwest Japan, off the west coast of Central and Western Japan, and Southwest and Southern Japan, with a significant number of transits through the Miyako Strait. Meanwhile, Chinese aerial activities were largely concentrated around Southwest and Southern Japan, with a significant number of flight paths transiting through the Miyako Strait to the east coast of Taiwan.

Chinese H-6 spotted south of Okinawa. Japanese MoD

For the third quarter of FY 2022, 462 scrambles took place against Chinese aircraft, in contrast to 571 for the same period in FY 2021, according to the report. Scrambles against Russian aircraft numbered 133 in the third quarter of FY 2022, compared to 199 for the same timeframe period in FY 2021. It was the lowest number since FY 2013.

The report also included 30 instances of Chinese and Russian aircraft activities that were deemed unusual during that third quarter. Eleven were J-15 fighter aircraft launches from Liaoning in May in the Pacific Ocean and another three were J-15 fighter aircraft launches from Liaoning in December. For the December instances, the scrambles took place over a period of several days, while the May instances happened on one specific day.

Two instances were joint flights by Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers, the first occurring on May 24 from the Sea of Japan, through the Tsushima Strait and out to the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean before returning the same way. The second joint flight included Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers flying the same route on Nov. 30, with Chinese fighter aircraft accompanying them on some legs

The remaining instances included Chinese bombers, electronic intelligence aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in addition to Russian bombers, fighter aircraft, intelligence gathering aircraft and two instances of unidentified Russian aircraft.

Dongdiao-class surveillance vessel CNS Yuhengxing (798). Japanese Ministry of Defense Photo.

On Thursday and Friday, the JSO also issued two news releases on the operations of a Chinese Dongdiao-class surveillance vessel, a Chinese UAV and a Chinese Y-9 surveillance aircraft. At 12 noon local time on Thursday, a Dongdiao-class surveillance vessel was sighted sailing southeast in an area 80 kilometers west of Kume Island, according to the Thursday JSO release. The hull number and image in the release identified the ship as CNS Yuhengxing (798). The PLAN ship then sailed southeast through the Miyako Strait into the Pacific Ocean, while Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper JS Toyoshima (MSC-685) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing 5 based at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, monitored, according to Japanese military.

In the afternoon of that same day, a Chinese BZK-005 UAV flew from the East China Sea and through the Miyako Strait into the Pacific Ocean, according to a second JSO release issued on Thursday. The UAV then flew over the Pacific Ocean, south of Okinawa, before turning around and flying through the Miyako Strait and back into the East China Sea. JASDF fighter aircraft from the Southwestern Air Defense Command scrambled in response, the Japanese military said.

On Friday morning, A Chinese Y-9 surveillance aircraft flew in from the East China Sea, transited into the Pacific through the Miyako Strait and then flew in a circle in the Pacific Ocean before turning back and flying through the Miyako Strait into the East China Sea, according to a Friday news release from the JSO. JASDF fighter aircraft also scrambled to intercept the Chinese aircraft.