Chapter V Weaponry and Equipment
In 2015, aimed at responding to the so-called “manifold security threats” and enhancing military deterrence and strike capability, Japan continued with stepping up the research, development and procurement of new weapons and equipment. Step by step Japan was about to equip its field units with new weapons so as to promote the upgrade of main combat equipment and to improve the overall “capability buildup”. According to FY 2015 defense budget, Japan was to spend 5234 billion yen on procurement of weapons and equipment, 6455 billion yen on acquisition of aircraft, 1571 billion yen on purchase of vessels and 1420 billion yen on research and development of weapons and equipment （all in reference to the sums of the newly signed contracts）. It can be found there was a significant rise in the spending on aircraft procurement and a certain increase in the spending on other conventional weapons and research and development.
In contrast to its previous stress on domestic manufacture of weapons and equipment, Japan is now inclined towards direct and selective imports of foreign cutting-edge weapons （especially from the U.S.） and field them as soon as possible.
In 2015, the main trends of Japan’s military buildup in terms of military equipment are：
Firstly, steady buildup of conventional maritime operation capabilities. For ships and vessels, Japan was proactively committed to building maritime operation groups both of larger dimension and of great strategic deterrence. The largest Japanese warship after WWII, the Isumo-class helicopter destroyer, which is actually a “para-aircraft-carrier” operation platform, now became the core for the maritime operation groups. In March, 2015, JS Isumo （DDH-183）, the lead ship of its class, was commissioned into service. The use of the straight-deck of the aircraft carrier, of which the length is 1.25 times that of DDH Hyuga, not only enables it to carry 9 helicopters instead of 4 but allows 5 helicopters to land or take off at the same time. In August, the 2
nd Izumo-class ship---DDH-184 set about its first voyage. In order to improve the anti-missile air-defense capability, Japan,in addition to transforming the Aegis destroyer, launched the project of building new ships by starting to build a new Aegis 8200-ton destroyer and importing from the U.S. two sets of anti-missile operation systems. Meanwhile, Japan continued to expand the scale of submarine fleet by stepping up the construction of new AIP submarines while decommissioning old ones. In March, 2015, the 6 service. In November, the 8 submarine had been commissioned into service in October, 2014）. And the 11th of the Soryu-class submarines, SS-506, was commissioned into submarine, SS-508, was commissioned into service （the 7the of the Soryu-class submarines was included in the defense budget of FY2015. As to the research and development of shipboard equipment technology, laying stress on the promotion of independent research and development of such projects as the new radar system installed on destroyers, submarine variable-depth sonar system, long-range missile for shipboard guns, Japan went on with its cooperation with the U.S. on the joint R＆D of SM-3 Block II A.
Secondly, concentrating on capability building for air operations, surveillance and power projection. For fighters, Japan proceeded with the procurement of the US F-35 fighters by including it in the budget （1032 billion yen for 6 such fighters）, meanwhile an enormous funding was spent on the transformation of the F-15 and F-2 fighters in active service and on the upgrade of airborne operation and communications systems. As to carrier aircraft, JSDF not only procured and fielded SH-60K armed helicopters but made great efforts to develop new carrier helicopters （in 2015 the research and development budget was 70 billion yen and in 2016 it was increased to 295 billion yen）. Meanwhile, JSDF decided to introduce new multi-functional armed helicopters to reinforce the capability of carrier aircraft. In order to rapidly improve the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities in peripheral maritime and air areas, JSDF procured and fielded the Japan-made P-1 anti-submarine patrol aircraft （20 in 2015）, with which JSDF was to replace the P-3C in service gradually. In 2015, Japan made the formal decision to export from the U.S. the RQ-4 “Global Hawks”, the High Altitude unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and planned to procure 3 in 2016. At the same time, Japan went on exporting the E-2D early warning aircraft from the U.S. and conducted transformations to the electronic systems of the E-767 warning aircraft in service with the support of the Bowing Corporation. Apart from exporting from the US the MV-22 Osprey transport helicopter, Japan also considered the introduction of new tanker aircraft and transport aircraft so as to enhance the capabilities of projecting forces far afield and logistic support.
Thirdly, while driving the transformation of military powers through upgrading equipment, promoting the capabilities of rapid response and amphibious operations. Apart from the enhancing the buildup of airborne projection and transforming the Osumi-class landing craft, Japan spent
massively on procuring the US AVV-7 armored combat amphibious vehicle （30 in 2015, and 11 as planned in 2016）, which was the main equipment for the new amphibious operation unit or the “amphibious mobile regiment” being created. In order to improve the mobility of the armore forces, JSDF increased the procurement of the mobile armored vehicles, and continued to field the new model-10 tanks and model-96 light armored vehicles. In 2015, JSDF spent 344 billion yen on upgrading transport vehicles, communications systems and logistic equipment, especially on
procuring the integrated systems of commands and communications for amphibious field operations. Japan put large investment on constructing new Tactical Data Links for JGSDF for the purpose of the collaborative operations between JGSDF and other forces and the US forces.
Moreover, in order to strengthen the Army Airborne Forces, Japan pondered on the introduction of new rescue and search helicopters. In short, the JSDF focuses on developing weapons and equipment that are light and integrated with multi-functions and connected by information networks.
Fourthly, investing in space military technology and information warfare so as to gain strategic advantages. At the beginning of 2015, Japan’s budgets for space military equipment technology and military network technology were respectively 340 billion yen and 90 billion yen.
Japan’s new version of the Basic Plan for Space Policy emphasized the establishment, based on the current reconnaissance satellite system, of “Quazi-Zenith Satellite System” capable of all-weather coverage （including 7 satellites and expected to have been completely deployed by 2014） so as to enhance the application of satellites in security defense especially in intelligence reconnaissance. JSDF went on constructing JSDF automated command system （C ISR） by harnessing space military technology to get ready for the transformation and upgrade of X-band satellites and to carry out joint research programmes with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency （JAXA）. As regards to cyber warfare, with “cyber defense forces” as the pivot, JSDF proceeded with enhancing cyber warfare system, improving “defense intelligence infrastructure”, upgrading hardware, training personnel, improving cyber warfare exercise and strengthening JSDF real combat capabilities for cyber warfare.
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