Kawasaki P-1 Foto: Kawasaki
Japan defence budget calls for 20 P-1s, 5 V-22s
Japan’s parliament has approved a Y4.98 trillion ($42 billion)
defence budget for FY2015, with a strong emphasis on new
airpower capabilities.
The budget, posted on the web site of Japan’s defence
ministry, is 2.8% higher than in FY2014, and sets a new
record for Japanese defence spending.
ministry, is 2.8% higher than in FY2014, and sets a new
record for Japanese defence spending.
It contains funding for several major aircraft programmes,
notably 20 Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.
notably 20 Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.
The budget will also see the radar and infrared sensors
carried by the nation’s Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion aircraft
upgraded, as well as service life extensions for three P-3Cs.
carried by the nation’s Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion aircraft
upgraded, as well as service life extensions for three P-3Cs.
It also includes funding for five Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
aircraft, which will be part of a new amphibious capability
modelled on the US Marine Corps.
aircraft, which will be part of a new amphibious capability
modelled on the US Marine Corps.
Tokyo continues to place a premium on high-end
intelligence surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR)
platforms.
intelligence surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR)
platforms.
The budget includes improvements on one Boeing
E-767 airborne early warning & control (AEW&;C)
aircraft, as well as the acquisition of one Northrop
Grumman E-2D.
E-767 airborne early warning & control (AEW&;C)
aircraft, as well as the acquisition of one Northrop
Grumman E-2D.
There is also funding toward Tokyo’s eventual
procurement of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4 Global
Hawk, but it does not specify a specific variant or the
number of aircraft it plans to obtain.
procurement of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4 Global
Hawk, but it does not specify a specific variant or the
number of aircraft it plans to obtain.
Tokyo’s fighter fleet also gets a boost, with funding for
six Lockheed Martin F-35As, the modernisation of eight
F-15s, and improvements to nine Mitsubishi F-2 fighters.
six Lockheed Martin F-35As, the modernisation of eight
F-15s, and improvements to nine Mitsubishi F-2 fighters.
In addition, Tokyo will obtain three Mitsubishi H-6
helicopters – the locally produced version of the
Sikorsky UH-60. Two examples will be configured as
SH-60K anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare helicopters,
while the third will be a UH-60J rescue helicopter.
helicopters – the locally produced version of the
Sikorsky UH-60. Two examples will be configured as
SH-60K anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare helicopters,
while the third will be a UH-60J rescue helicopter.
Tokyo will also extend the service life of two SH-60Js.
To further bolster its rotary wing capabilities, Tokyo
is providing funds to develop an indigenous ASW
helicopter optimised for patrolling Japan’s littoral
environment for submarines.
is providing funds to develop an indigenous ASW
helicopter optimised for patrolling Japan’s littoral
environment for submarines.
Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatni reportedly
said the spending reflects the “changing situation” in the
region.
said the spending reflects the “changing situation” in the
region.
“The level of defence spending reflects the amount
necessary to protect Japan’s air, sea and land, and
guard the lives and property of our citizens,” he said.
necessary to protect Japan’s air, sea and land, and
guard the lives and property of our citizens,” he said.
In recent years Tokyo has become increasingly alarmed
at Chinese aerial incursions and patrols over the East
China Sea. Tokyo and Beijing also have competing
territorial claims, which have raised concerns about the
potential for armed conflict.
at Chinese aerial incursions and patrols over the East
China Sea. Tokyo and Beijing also have competing
territorial claims, which have raised concerns about the
potential for armed conflict.
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.