Yesterday, April 6, through social media, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced the completion of phase 1 of upgrading the JS Kaga destroyer of the Izumo class to deploy the 5th generation stealth fighter F-35B.
Japan's breakthrough
Similar in design to amphibious assault ships such as the US America and Wasp class, with a large deck that can be used to deploy fighter jets, but when launched in 2013, the Izumo class was modestly called a helicopter carrier by Japan. The JMSDF owns two Izumo class ships, the JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184). In 2018, in the face of many fluctuations in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan revealed that it would upgrade two Izumo class ships to be able to deploy F-35B fighters. In 2021, the US F-35B fighter successfully tested landing on the JS Izumo.
JS Kaga ship on a voyage and brief information about Izumo class ship when completed upgrade
Photo: JMSDF - Graphics: Hoang Dinh
Belonging to the F-35 series, the F-35B is a version that allows short takeoffs and vertical landings to operate on many classes of amphibious assault ships. Up to now, after the new announcement of the JMSDF, Japan is about to complete the upgrade of both warships to be able to deploy combat like aircraft carriers.
However, according to Tokyo, the upgrade is only for defense purposes, and the F-35B fighter jets will not be deployed regularly on the two Izumo-class ships so that these warships will not be offensive in nature. To date, Japan has ordered 105 F-35A and 42 F-35B fighters, according to Defense News . Of these, the country has deployed a number of F-35As and is expected to begin receiving F-35Bs from 2025.
Possessing two warships that can deploy advanced fighter jets like the F-35B is a major milestone because aircraft carriers help the JMSDF have a comprehensive modern warship force.
Japan converts destroyer into aircraft carrier for F-35B
Over the years, the JMSDF has owned many types of modern warships, among the most powerful in the world. Typically, Japan's Kongo, Atago, and Maya destroyers are all equipped with the modern Aegis missile defense system. In particular, the Maya and Atago class ships are also equipped with 96 vertical missile launch tubes. These are the most modern destroyer classes in the world. In addition, Japan's Soryu and Taigei submarine classes are also ranked in the top group of hybrid diesel-electric submarines. The JMSDF also has other outstanding weapons such as the very modern Mogami-class escort ship, or 2 Hyuga-class ships that can carry dozens of aircraft of all kinds...
Increased military aid
In addition to strengthening its military capabilities, Japan also promotes sharing the security burden and accompanies the US in many multilateral cooperation programs with regional partners such as the "security quad" (US - Japan - Australia - India), the trilateral cooperation between the US - Japan - Philippines and the US - Japan - South Korea, while promoting technological cooperation with the AUKUS agreement (US - UK - Australia).
In addition, Japan is expanding its Official Security Assistance (OSA) program to a number of countries. In April 2023, in a statement on OSA as an important part of its new security strategy, Japan emphasized: "To prevent unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and create a security environment that Japan desires."
According to The Defense Post , under the OSA, Japan is completing the provision of patrol vessels worth about $3.8 million to Bangladesh. Last year, during an official visit to the Philippines, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also announced the OSA for the host country, specifically the provision of maritime reconnaissance radar.
In fiscal year 2023, Japan has set aside a budget of 2 billion yen (nearly 14 million USD) to implement OSA for the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji and Malaysia. In fiscal year 2024, Japan is expected to increase the OSA budget to 5 billion yen (about 34 million USD) for 6 countries, including 3 Southeast Asian countries.
Promoting US-Japan military and defense industry cooperation
The South China Morning Post yesterday, April 6, quoted US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel as saying that Washington is looking to modernize the command structure of its security alliance with Tokyo to deal with emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Accordingly, this upgrade is not only for "a contingency" but also "built around security in the Indo-Pacific".
The information was released right before the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden scheduled to take place on April 10 in Washington DC. It is expected that through the meeting, the two sides will reach a series of important agreements on military and defense industry cooperation. On this occasion, the two leaders will also participate in a three-way summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Today, April 7, according to Kyodo, it is expected that the US, Japan, Philippines and Australia military forces will have a joint exercise in the East Sea.
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