CAIMAN-90 is a compact landing craft with an overall length of 30 meters, a width of 7.7 meters, and a drainage capacity of 203 tons. The craft is characterized by its high speed performance and excellent loading capacity.
As for speed, the ship is equipped with three diesel engines and three water jets each, and thanks in part to its excellent hull design, it is capable of 22 knots when fully loaded and 40 knots when unloaded. In terms of loading capacity, it can carry 90 tons of vehicles and supplies, meaning that it can transport main battle tanks (MBTs) and armored vehicles currently in operation around the world.
This CAIMAN-90 landing craft could be important an important asset for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). This is because, within the next five years, the JSDF plans to introduce a craft of this type. Japan’s Defense Buildup Program, published in December 2022, specifies the introduction of “maneuverable boats (機動舟艇)” in the JSDF. The purpose of the maneuverable boats is to transport Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) troops to be able to defend the numerous islands (Southwest Islands) that Japan holds in view of the current growing military threat from China in the East China Sea and the situation in Taiwan.
Currently, the JGSDF aims to rapidly deploy units stationed throughout Japan to wherever they are needed, and the Defense Buildup Program states the following:
“Regarding the basic operational units, the 15th Brigade will be reorganized into a division in order to strengthen the defense architecture in the southwestern region. The other eight divisions, five brigades, and one armored division will be operated on the basis of rapid deployment in order to deter and respond immediately to various situations effectively and rapidly. In addition, units with specialized functions such as airborne units, amphibious rapid deployment units and air rapid deployment units will be also operated on the basis of rapid deployment.”
And to achieve this goal, it is necessary not only to change the structure of the unit, but also to secure the unit’s means of transportation. This is where maneuverable boats become essential. Furthermore, as a problem unique to Japan, the Southwest Islands are a mix of coral reefs, rocky reefs, and shallow waters, making it difficult for large transport vessels to land troops in many areas. In comparison, maneuverable boats can operate in these waters without problems.
With construction and deployment to take place over the next five years, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is expected to soon hold a competition to select a company to sign a contract for maneuverable boats, and BMT’s CAIMAN-90 could be a strong candidate for the project.
Check out our video interview with BMT during DSEI Japan 2023:
