TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
In there current form the aircraft they carry helicopters lack the range to do more than fleet support by deploying LAMPS choppers.as I think Japan should not go back into aircraft carriers (no matter if spin doctors would then call them 'defensive aircraft carriers', 'non-offensive aircraft carriers', 'through-deck cruisers' or what ever else),
In a Augmented form adding F35B they would still be limited to fleet support with short range. You get a fighter on deck but the range is restricted by SVTOL necessity.
It might be able to launch anti ship missiles although as it stands today F35B is lacking in those. Fleet air defense, and CAS missions close to shore. Because of the small size of the air wing and short range.
To late that started with The PLAN Carrier #1.in case Japan went back into aircraft carriers, even bigger arms-race would begin in the Far East
Even the Russians didn’t place there carrier in the Pacific. The US was the only real carrier force save for India with a token carrier and Thailand’s Royal yacht. Once the Chinese started building carriers, and with the Chinese placing naval forces around disputed territories the race is already on.
And counting on the US to stand solely against any nations potential territory dispute is fool hardy unless you as a state can actively assist. The Japanese fear is that if push came to shove the US might have another leading from behind in the Oval Office.
Now with the PRC building carrier #3 no end in sight as to how many they aim for the USN is in a trouble spot it can be out numbered regionally as it operates globally.
Example In World War Two the USN was pouring resources back and forth between the two major oceans fortunately the German Navy had been locked in home port allowing the USN a free hand. Yet today that could play differently.
If a crisis in the Gulf is happening at the same time as one in the Pacific that starts draining resources. Not just of the combat forces but of the leadership. This can be seen play out in the last decades as now three administrations have been micromanaging there attentions back and forth between Afghanistan, Iraq and the Pacific. The result is not a great outcome anywhere.
The US has had the goal of building up allies in the regions where we operate who could support operations. Not subservient as many try to paint them but who have similar aims.
In example The ROK land forces and US Land forces vs the DPRK Army. The DPRK May have large land forces of its own but it’s “hash and trash” vs two Very modern Armies standing in line.