Japan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

​

US Naval institute News said:

Congress has received notification of a potential $3 billon sale of 17 Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and support equipment to Japan,

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

In its statement, DSCA (pronounced dis-kah) said the potential sale would expand the ability of the Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) to operate more closely with the U.S. and extend the range of their ground forces.

“Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs. The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations,” read the DSCA statement.

“This sale will promote burden sharing with our ally and interoperability with U.S. forces. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.”

The agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Tuesday.

In addition to the Osprey’s the deal’s outline would also include night vision goggles, a variety of radars, spare parts and training equipment.

Japan has been considering the buy at least since 2013 with 17 Osprey’s planned for as part of the country’s five-year mid-term defense program update as part of an emerging amphibious capability modeled on the U.S. Marine Corps, according to a

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

Ospreys are key to the U.S Marine Corps posture in Western Pacific thanks tho their ability to fly further and faster than traditional helicopters and still land on a variety of ships.

For it’s part,

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

the first of two Izumo-class large helicopter carriers that would make ideal launching platforms for the V-22s. U.S. Marines have also successfully tested V-22s on the onboard Japan’s Hyuga-class DDHs in 2013.

The announcement of the potential sale follows closely with a revision of U.S.-Japan guidelines that allow Japan and the U.S. closer operations.

Unlike domestic defense programs, U.S. foreign military sales undergo a much more circuitous acquisition process.

Congress now has the option to approve the concept of the sale and Japan has to agree to the terms before companies can agree to final terms and delivery dates, according a State Department official told USNI News on Tuesday.

Click to expand...

​

Defense Talk said:

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested a possible sale of the following:

17 x V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft,
40 x AE1107C Rolls Royce Engines,
40 x AN/AAQ-27 Forward Looking InfraRed Radars,
40 x AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems,
40 x AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers,
40 x AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems,
40 x AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe Systems,
40 x AN/APN-194 Radar Altimeters,
40 x AN/ARN-147 VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR) Instrument Landing System (ILS)
40 x 629F-23 Multi-Band Radios (Non-COMSEC),
40 x AN/ASN-163 Miniature Airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers (MAGR),
40 x AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems, 80 Night Vision Goggles,
- Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with unique planning components,
- Publications and technical documentation,
- Aircraft spares and repair parts, R
- Repair and return, aircraft ferry services,
- Tanker support,
- Support and test equipment,
- Personnel training and training equipment,
- Software,
- U.S. Government and contractor engineering,
- Logistics and technical support services,
- Other elements of technical and program support.

The estimated cost is $3 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States. Japan is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. objectives and the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs. The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations. This sale will promote burden sharing with our ally and interoperability with U.S. forces. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems via a joint venture arrangement with initial assembly of aircraft fuselage occurring in Ridley Park, PA and final aircraft assembly occurring in Amarillo, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of United States Government or contractor representatives to GOJ on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.

Click to expand...

Jeff Head said:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The Uraga class MST are very impressive vessels. The JMSDF has two of them, the Uraga MST-463, an this one, the Bungo, MST-464.

​

They are as big as most destroyers, displacing in at almost 6,000 tons. They are armed with a 76mm gun, two Phalanx CIWS, and all of the implements necessary for counter mine warfare.

They are designed to act as the flagship for a flotilla of minesweepers providing logistics and for the other minesweepers. They are able to refuel, provide food, water and other supplies, as well as carry various mission-related equipment that are inconvenient to have aboard the smaller ships permanently. These vessels also have extensive medical facilities, having even a decompression chamber for divers.

From a Mine Countermeasures task force standpoint, the vessels also are equipeed with the command and communication facilities to allow them to be the flagships of mine warfare fleets. One of these vessels can command and logistically support a fleet of 12-15 minesweepers.

Their helideck and hanger were designed to be large enough, and strong enough specifically for the MH-53E Sea Dragon mine countermeasures helicopters that the JMSDF operates.

In addition to the support, tender, and Command and Control functions, these vessels are capable of performing all of the mine countermeasures missions themselves. Using specialized mine hunting sonar and unmanned underwater

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

, the two ships locate, classify, and destroy mines..

They are also designed to cut cables on moored mines and generate sound signals and magnetic fields that detonate bottom mines. They can also embark an EOD team used the that dive on, identify, defuse and destroy or remove mines from the water.

As I say, they are very capable counter mine vessels...probably among the best in the world.

Click to expand...

​

Naval Today said:

Two ships of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Escort Division Two docked in Manila’s South Harbour for a visit.

The JMSDF ED2 vessels, JS Harusame (DD-102) and JS Amigiri (DD-154), arrived on May 9 and will depart Manila tomorrow, May 12.

The visit is expected to enhance the already strong relationship between the Philippine Navy and the Japanese Navy.

Click to expand...

that offset hangar nonsense on 052B or Akizuki

Click to expand...