2013 China Russia Joint Naval Training

I think that is a purely Russian exercise. After the conclusion of the Russo-Chinese exercise, those eight Russian surface combants, reinforced by a third TARANTUL (995) and two of the non-existing landing ships (066, 081 - the other two Pacific Fleet landing ships are currently serving with the Mediterranean Squadron) transited the La Pérouse Strait on 12 July to enter the Sea of Okhotsk, there to take part in the general Eastern Military District exercise presently under way.

The successive passage of a Russian and a Chinese naval force north of Hokkaido seems designed to feed Japanese paranoia...

Hundred of russian tanks have arrived on south kuril islands:

Around 550 in total, over 100 aircraft.

no_name said:

Hundred of russian tanks have arrived on south kuril islands:

Around 550 in total, over 100 aircraft.

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I wonder if it is wise to install large quantity of tanks on those islands. They will have little manouver room, and will always be exposed to naval bombardment, not to mention be well in the range of the japanese air force.

I dont think that the russians can sucessfully defend kuril islands from japan. Their navy is a pittance compared to the japanese navy, the second most powerfull in the world. I think only with nuclear weapons can they do it.

kroko said:

I wonder if it is wise to install large quantity of tanks on those islands. They will have little manouver room, and will always be exposed to naval bombardment, not to mention be well in the range of the japanese air force.

I dont think that the russians can sucessfully defend kuril islands from japan. Their navy is a pittance compared to the japanese navy, the second most powerfull in the world. I think only with nuclear weapons can they do it.

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I thought they're there for something else like training and not to be stationed there permanently for island defense unless of course there is an imminent Japanese invasion of Russia that I am wholly unaware of

kroko said:

I wonder if it is wise to install large quantity of tanks on those islands. They will have little manouver room, and will always be exposed to naval bombardment, not to mention be well in the range of the japanese air force.

I dont think that the russians can sucessfully defend kuril islands from japan. Their navy is a pittance compared to the japanese navy, the second most powerfull in the world. I think only with nuclear weapons can they do it.

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I'm always perplexed by the statement that the Japanese navy is the second most powerful in the world. Not that they don't have good equipment but I always thought it was purely a defensive force so is it second most powerful only in that regards? Or does it include offensive capability? And wouldn't that mean a violation of the Japanese constitution?

joshuatree said:

I'm always perplexed by the statement that the Japanese navy is the second most powerful in the world. Not that they don't have good equipment but I always thought it was purely a defensive force so is it second most powerful only in that regards? Or does it include offensive capability? And wouldn't that mean a violation of the Japanese constitution?

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defensive in its terminology, but not in its capability, and i would easily say hands down the JMSDF is by far the second most powerful navy in the world, very professional and very experienced

in terms of overall tonnage they make the Royal Navy look like a small fishing force, JMSDF has alot of "critical mass"

they get around the constitution by changing the terminology, like they say 22DDH is a helicopter destroyer, yet its clear its a light aircraft carrier

asif iqbal said:

...they get around the constitution by changing the terminology, like they say 22DDH is a helicopter destroyer, yet its clear its a light aircraft carrier

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That's what I figured, I'll leave it at that.

How far the Kuril Islands is from the Russian mainland? The Russian airforce and Army would also figure if the islands are within range of the fighters and missiles, which I think it should be. All the different assets, not just the Navy, would come into play if a war actually breaks out.

Quickie said:

How far the Kuril Islands is from the Russian mainland? The Russian airforce and Army would also figure if the islands are within range of the fighters and missiles, which I think it should be. All the different assets, not just the Navy, would come into play if a war actually breaks out.

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It would be a pain for russia to send forces to kuril islands in wartime. Its 1100 km from the pacific fleet base in vladivostok, but due to the soya strait bootleneck, the trip would actually be about 3000 km.

In order to send troops there, they would have to have some kind of aeronaval superiority, and i dont see how can russia do it. Their ships and planes would get blowed up.

If they ever were to make a move against Japan, I would expect it to most likely be in conjunction with China.

Then it may not seem so inplausible, if part of the Japanese strength, especially the majority of its AF and Navy gets drawn away south (?)

Russia may be far away to land army units, but not as far as Chinese would have to travel. So the plan may be

Airforce gets drawn south by Chinese air units.

Combined Russo-Chinese naval force to pin the JMSDF

Land operation by russians up north.