Navy program in Japan’s record 2022 defense budget

On April 20, 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) said in English, “ “Japan’s Defense Plan and Budget” Outline of the defense budget for 2022. The 2022 defense budget approved in March 2022 (in Japan, the new year begins in April) is organized as a so-called 16-month budget integrated with the 2021 supplementary budget approved at the end of last year. Has been done. This is called the “Defense Enhancement Acceleration Package”.

The budget amount is 5,866.1 billion yen (about 51 billion dollars), Largest in historyIncluding the budget related to the reorganization of the US military in Japan, the total amount is 6,177.4 billion yen. The following budgets are specifically related to the Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF):

Remodeling of Izumo-class escort ship (6.1 billion yen)

Of the changes to make the F-35B fighter operational with Izumo DDH, this year’s budget includes JPALSAs a landing guidance device to be installed in Izumo, developed by the U.S. Navy and Raytheon, KagaWhich Started that change March 2022.

Purchase of 4 F-35B fighters (51 billion yen)

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has set a budget for purchasing a total of eight F-35Bs, six in 2020 and two in 2021. In addition, with the budget for 2022, we were able to purchase four F-35Bs. Delivery of the F-35B to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is scheduled to begin in 2024. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force Shinya Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, will be their first home. Six aircraft will be deployed at the base in 2024, two aircraft will be deployed at the base in 2025, and finally one squadron (20 aircraft) will be deployed at the base. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force plans to deploy a total of 42 F-35Bs.

Durable UAV test run (4.7 billion yen)

Currently, the Maritime Self-Defense Force is aiming to introduce UAVs to reduce the burden on currently operating maritime patrol aircraft such as P-3C and P-1 in anticipation of future population decline. The budget included testing costs to confirm its usefulness, but did not reveal the specific model name of the UAV used. However, during the General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardian demonstration by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) based in the Maritime Self-Defense Force Hachinohe base in northern Japan in 2020, JMSDF received data on this demonstration from JCG and performed this test operation. Northrop Grumman’s Firebird may also be a candidate.

Research on small vessel type UAV (performance test) (600 million yen)

The Maritime Self-Defense Force currently operates manned aircraft such as SH-60J / K and MCH-101 as shipboard aircraft, but in addition to these, we are considering the introduction of UAVs that can be operated from ships.

These UAVs do not completely replace manned helicopters, but complement their capabilities. This is because the Maritime Self-Defense Force cannot afford to lose a manned helicopter capable of anti-submarine warfare and transportation of goods and personnel. Therefore, UAVs are expected to complement helicopter capabilities and perform missions that are difficult for helicopters to perform, such as offshore surveillance of destroyer bombings in remote island defense, target search, and observation assistance. Therefore, a type of UAV that can work with a destroyer helicopter may be tested. For example, the Airbus VSR700, the Sibel Camcopter S-100, the Saab Skelder V-200, and the Insitu Scan Eagle.

Procurement of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) (20.2 billion yen)

The Maritime Self-Defense Force has purchased a SM-6 block 1 anti-aircraft missile for a state-of-the-art Maya-class destroyer. The Maya Class is equipped with Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), which is the concept of engaging with enemies over long distances of the U.S. Navy to share target information with other ships in real time. –CA), the US Navy’s concept of engaging enemies over long distances. The SM-6 is an essential missile for the NI FC-CA, and it is very important to have the SM-6 in the Maya class.

Development of unmanned demining system (1.2 billion yen)

The new JMSDF frigate, the Momi Class FFM, will be given minesweeping capabilities using: Unmanned ground vehicle (USV) And unmanned underwater drone (UUV). This year’s budget includes the cost of acquiring USV. The role of USV is to run on the OZZ-5 UUV developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) along the sea surface, and to acquire and transmit the data acquired by the sonar of OZZ-5 in real time by sound waves. This data is sent to the Mogami-class escort ship via wireless communication. These underwater data obtained are processed by the Mogami-class heavy cruiser to confirm the presence of land mines. In addition, if a mine is found, USV will use Consumables Demining (EMD) or other equipment to perform demining.

Procurement of two transport vessels (10.2 billion yen)

Japan is currently strengthening its defenses in the Nansei Islands, including Okinawa, and plans to deploy troops and introduce two transport vessels to transport ammunition, supplies and vehicles to these islands. This time, the budget for the introduction of one logistical support vessel (LSV) and one landing craft (LCU) will be included, and a total of four vessels (one LSV and three LCUs) will eventually operate. .. The transport vessel will be operated by a joint unit of the Ground, Maritime and Air Force Self-Defense Forces and will be formed by March 2024.

Development of improved 12-type anti-ship missile (39.3 billion yen)

The mod is currently in the process of modifying the Type 12 SSM to significantly extend its range from 200km to 900km, reducing radar cross section (RCS) and improving stealth performance. The improved Type 12 SSM will also be able to attack enemy surface ships as well as ground targets. In addition, missiles are updated with data about the target via satellite communications during flight, improving the accuracy of the attack. Modifications to this Type 12 SSM began in 2021, but this is a ground-based version, and the 2022 budget is for the development of versions released by JMSDF destroyers and JASDF fighters. Funds are included. Development of the ground-launched version is scheduled to be completed by 2026, the ship-launched version by 2027, and the aerial-launched version by 2029.

Future railgun research (6.5 billion yen)

Japanese modding is focused on developing technologies to respond to future military threats, such as railguns that fire shells at high speeds. According to the modding description, the railgun is designed to be operated in two ways. One will be mounted on the JMSDF destroyer that intercepts the missile, and the other will be mounted on the truck as a coastal artillery that attacks enemy naval vessels. MOD will conduct research on this railgun from 2022 to 2027, and then test it until 2029. This research is also being considered for joint research with other countries for speed and cost reasons.

Changed SPY-7 (radar for ships equipped with Aegis system) to marine configuration (5.8 billion yen)

The Japanese MOD planned to deploy Aegis Ashore to combat the threat of ballistic missiles by North Korea, but it was abandoned and instead deployed two Aegis system-equipped vessels to the Navy. It will be installed on ships. Unlike the Aegis destroyers currently operated by the Maritime Self-Defense Force, these ships specialize in ballistic missile defense (BMD), but details are still unknown. The 2022 budget includes funding for modifications to install the Lockheed Martin SPY-7 radar purchased for Aegis Ashore on ships equipped with the Aegis system.