The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced this week its intention to halt deployment of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system citing difficulties in ensuring that rocket boosters from the interceptors do not fall in populated areas. The real reason may actually have to do with the radar system, namely SPY-6 and SPY-7. Yoshihiro Inaba has the story.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) ordered two 4,900 tons Yard Oiler Tankers (YOT) from local shipbuilder Shin Kurushima (株式会社新来島どっく) on May 19 2020.
According to a document released by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Guided Missile Destroyer JS Maya (DDG-179)「まや」 and her crew will undergo a “capability test”.
The first Japanese V-22s have finally reach their home soil. Two Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft were unloaded from a Ro-Ro vessel in Iwakuni , Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) started developing a hypersonic guided missile able to attack both ships or ground targets. The missile, qualified as “game changer” by the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s agency, will use scramjet engine technology for propulsion.
Two more E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft were delivered to Japan by Northrop Grumman. There are now three Advanced Hawkeyes in the country.
Japan’s largest Super Puma operator, Japan Coast Guard (JCG), has placed a new order of two H225 helicopters. This follow-on order brings JCG’s Super Puma fleet to 15, comprising two AS332s and 13 H225s.
Japan Self-Defense Forces plan to deploy a Hypervelocity Gliding Projectile, or HVGP, in fiscal year 2026 as a new weapon to deter enemies trying to invade Japan’s remote islands. The HVGP (速滑空弾) could eventually have an anti-ship capability and be used against aircraft carriers.
Japan continues to reinforce its Southern Islands. A new Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (12式地対艦誘導弾) unit has recently been deployed at the garrison on Miyakojima island.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned today its first Maya-class AEGIS Destroyer at Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) Isogo shipyard in Yokohama. JS Maya まや (DDG-179) joins the JMSDF’s Escort Flotilla 1, based in Yokosuka.
