Japan is asking for the largest defense budget ever

The defense budget request, which will be sent to the Finance Ministry for consideration before a decision is made in December, calls for strengthening the country’s integrated air and missile defense system and standoff defense capabilities to counter growing military threats posed by China and North Korea. Korea and Russia.

The budget requests related to the maritime domain are as follows:

Construction of two ships equipped with the Aegis system – ASEVs ($ 2.6 billion)

The Ministry of Defense stated in its budget request for the next fiscal year 2024 that the new ships will be 190 meters long, 25 meters wide, and have a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. In comparison, the two Maya-class Aegis-equipped destroyers are 170 meters long, 21 meters wide, and have a standard displacement of 8,200 tons.

The ministry indicated that the size of the ASEV will be 1.7 times larger than the size of the US Navy’s latest guided missile destroyer, the Flight III Arleigh Burke.

The ASEV will have a crew of about 240, which is significantly less than the 300-man crew of a Maya-class destroyer.

The JMSDF is expected to receive the first ASEV during fiscal year 2027, and the second in the following fiscal year.

The department expects the construction cost of each ASEV to be approximately $2.7 billion eventually.

like Previously mentioned by Marine NewsThe main armament configuration used by the ASEV is similar to that of two Maya-class ships, including a 5-inch/62-cal (127 mm) Mk-45 (Mod.4) main gun, SM-3 Block IIA and SM-6 missiles.

The Defense Ministry said the new ships will be equipped with weapon systems such as an improved long-range ship-launched version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (SSM), US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and high-speed missiles. Anti-drone laser systems starting in fiscal year 2032.

Building two new fact-finding mission mechanisms ($1.2 billion)

The Defense Ministry said it would get 12 of the aircraft New Ffm Which will succeed the JMSDF’s Mogami-class fact-finding mission.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces had originally planned to build a total of 22 Mogami-class frigates as Tokyo ramped up efforts to bolster the country’s navy.

However, JMSDF officials said they have now decided to purchase a total of just 12 frigates of this type through 2023, with plans to build a new class of 12 corvettes from 2024. The new frigates will be nearly improved ships of the Mogami class.

The Ministry of Defense said that the new class of FFM will be equipped with long-range missiles, enhanced anti-submarine capabilities, and enhanced capabilities for various naval operations.

Specifically, the improved version of the Type 12 SSM was launched The new ship-to-air guided missile (or simply A-SAM) will be equipped with a new class of FFM, defense officials said

“The reason for making the missile control autonomous is most likely to accommodate missiles that are scheduled to be installed in the future.” said a former JMSDF official Marine News.

With better anti-aircraft and search capabilities, the new FFM may become closer to the FFG (Frigate Missile).

The DoD documents, released by the Ministry of Defense on August 31, said the new class FFM has a record displacement of 4,500 tons. Meanwhile, according to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) proposal for the new class of FFM, which was officially released by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) on August 25, the new warship class will feature a heavier standard displacement of about 4,880 tons, its total length is about 142 meters, and its total width is about 17 meters. The new ships have a top speed of more than 30 knots, according to MHI’s proposal.

By comparison, the Mogami class has an overall length of 132.5 meters, an overall width of 16.3 meters, and a displacement of approximately 3,900 tons at standard loads.

Despite the fact that the new class will be larger than the Mogami class, defense officials said the new class’s crew will be only 90, the same number as the Mogami class. To achieve this, Japanese naval planners will likely integrate the new class with a higher level of automation and deploy extensive lean crew concepts throughout the ship.

“Saving labor and saving manpower are the biggest challenges. How can we take advantage of the increased distribution of space? asked the former JMSDF official.

Modifications to Izumo-class helicopter carriers ($290 million)

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has requested 42.3 billion yen ($290 million) to further modify two Izumo-class helicopter carriers – JS Izumo and js kaja – To aircraft carriers capable of enabling Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter aircraft operations.

JMSDF said 40.7 billion yen will be used to modify the forward portion of the JS Izumo-shaped flight deck into a square shape during fiscal year 2024. follow js kajaThe same amendments during the current fiscal year 2023. A portion of the funds will also be used to provide Izumo with a landing navigation system for the F-35B, which is slated to be Raytheon’s Joint Precision Landing and Landing System (JPALS). Meanwhile, JS Kaga will receive modifications to its satellite communications equipment after undergoing major upgrades in FY2023.

Both ships will complete all upgrades to become an F-35B-powered light aircraft carrier in fiscal year 2027, the JMSDF said.

Development of electronic warfare aircraft ($95.7 million)

The Ministry of Defense said it will develop an electronic warfare aircraft in order to respond to the increasingly complex electronic warfare environment and enhance capabilities in the electromagnetic field necessary for cross-domain operations.

The new aircraft will be developed on the basis of the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

Joint development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) with the United States ($512.7 million)

Defense officials in Tokyo said the two countries plan to complete this development in the early 2030s.

The Japanese side will be mainly responsible for the rocket engine and propulsion system of the kill vehicle.

Japan and the United States agreed to begin joint development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).. The announcement was made on August 18 by both the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense (DoD) while US President Biden was hosting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yeon Suk-yul at Camp David.

Development of a surface-to-ship/ground-to-surface precision guided missile ($218.7 million)

The ministry plans to develop a surface-to-surface/surface-to-surface precision-guided missile by fiscal year 2030, which will likely have a much longer range than existing missiles.

in DSEI Japan 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has unveiled a new type of stealth anti-ship missile called the “Island Defense Anti-Ship Missile.” (島嶼防衛用新対艦誘導弾 in Japanese). This missile could be related.

Acquisition of maneuvering boats ($118.3 million)

In order to secure the capabilities needed for the rapid and reliable transport of the units needed to defeat an island invasion in the southwest region, the Department of Defense will purchase three maneuverable boats during the next fiscal year. The ministry said the boats would be 35 meters long.

The Ministry of Defense plans to conduct competitive bids after securing the budget. In order to operate these new boats, the new “SDF Maritime Transport Fleet” (tentative name) will be set up at Kure base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces as a joint army, navy and air forces in March 2025. The number of fleet personnel will be about 100 from the three services, according to Ministry of Defense.

in DSEI Japan 2023, BMT was showing a model of its CAIMAN-90 aircraft for this program.

Construction of a new renovation ship ($566 million)

The Ministry of Defense has requested 82.5 billion yen ($566 million) to build a 14,500-ton replenishment ship, which will enhance the at-sea logistical support capabilities of other JMSDF ships in any situation. It is scheduled to be delivered in fiscal year 2028. The new ship will be the successor to JS Towada (AOE-422), according to the Department of Defense.

USV Multipurpose Combat Support Research ($168 million)

Selectively equipped with functions such as warning, monitoring, launching anti-ship missiles, and searching for stealth USVs supporting manned ships.

Development of an amphibious unmanned vehicle ($145 million)

Landing is possible from all fronts on the islands, allowing troops to land near the sea. Development of an unmanned amphibious vehicle that can carry out tasks such as transporting supplies has begun.

USV Trial Operation (Test Equipment) ($110 million)

In order to quickly gain knowledge about USV operation and promote the development of domestically produced USVs, Japan’s defense budget calls for the purchase of USVs that have been used in different countries as test equipment.

Research and development in ultraviolet radiation for ocean monitoring ($1.3 million)

In order to improve the efficiency of ocean observation:
Research and research on ultraviolet light (for observing underwater terrain and investigating acoustic properties), which is currently being considered for introduction.
Performance tests were performed using UUV test equipment (to monitor structure water temperature, etc.) purchased in FY2021.

Story written by Kosuke Takahashi, edited by Xavier Vavasseur