Japan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Violet Oboe

Junior Member
I have to admit reading some Jane's publications regularly and mostly they contain valuable information but sometimes also Jane's got the story wrong or they were perhaps deceived by their source of information...:confused: May be that some people in JSDF are actually not content with the current situation of being dependent to US equipment and they really try to push for diversification but whether they will have some success in achieving this will remain unclear until JSDF makes her decision.

Eventually the decision about the new fighter will be made at the highest level and Abe Shinzo will probably talk with Bush jr. personally (perhaps without interpreter:) ) about this vitally important matter. I have no doubt whatsoever about the final outcome of this little chat!:D

Fu I have not maintained that Japan is a state of the USA or like Puerto Rico a ´commonwealth´of the US. Correspondingly Japan's government is obviously able to make the decision to buy a small batch of JSDF helicopters in europe but looking at all the evidence regarding Tokyo's orders of military equipment in the past the ´big orders´will continue to go to the US. (...unless some really big surprise happens like a deal with UK/Germany about 50 Typhoons's plus a reassurance that the PRC arms embargo stays in place for the time being!:D )

P.S.: Talking about leashes and harnesses is not appropriate since this kind of talk is prone to escalation and could lead to ad hominem attacks. Some mitigation should (just looking at your last post...) although come from both of us dear Fu!;)
 
D

Deleted member 675

Guest
I have to admit reading some Jane's publications regularly and mostly they contain valuable information but sometimes also Jane's got the story wrong or they were perhaps deceived by their source of information...

But if it is such a clear "fact" that there is no chance Typhoon could possibly have a chance with the bid, they wouldn't have made the statement to begin with.

May be that some people in JSDF are actually not content with the current situation of being dependent to US equipment and they really try to push for diversification

If the US offers the Raptor under acceptable terms, I can promise you 100% that Japan will buy at least some. However, if the Raptor export embargo is maintained or the plane otherwise isn't a contender, I'll stick with Jane's and say Typhoon has a fair chance.

It's down to one's POV, but I just don't think the Strike Eagle or Super Hornet quite cuts it in comparison - more importantly I think the Japanese government knows this. The fact Japan would be better suited to something with a stronger air-to-air role is a reason why I think they're more interested in it, whilst the South Koreans have little to worry about in that area from Pyongyang which is why I think they went for more Strike Eagles (plus they already had them, so commonality was another plus).

plus a reassurance that the PRC arms embargo stays in place for the time being!

To be quite fair, the influential countries that would benefit the most from a Typhoon sale in Japan are the ones that are most opposed to lifting the embargo. But it would still have a positive influence on the on-going discussions.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
As I have updated and shown on my
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
on my
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
, the JMSDF 16DDH carrier has taken shape and moved along rapidly.

16ddh0.jpg


16ddh1.jpg


16ddh2.jpg


16ddh3.jpg


Although not advertised as such, I believe this carrier could well be capable of the following type of airwing composition. Watch for the JMSDF to purchase the VSTOL version of the F-35. If they do, you can believe they will have such an airwing on these vessels:


16ddh5.jpg


16ddh6.jpg
 
D

Deleted member 675

Guest
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

I think the launch is planned for sometime later this month - around 23rd August. I haven't heard anything that has put that date back yet.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

I think the launch is planned for sometime later this month - around 23rd August. I haven't heard anything that has put that date back yet.
I had heard early September. Either way, it is soon, and it is going to be a fine ship. The Japanese do not do things like this in half measures...we shall still have to wait and see what the final air wing composition is...and it may be some time before we know what that "final" composition might be.

In any event, these are going to be important additions to the JMSDF.
 

Neutral Zone

Junior Member
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

Watch for the JMSDF to purchase the VSTOL version of the F-35. If they do,

...watch for them to bolt a ski jump onto these ships! :D

Assuming the Japanese want to operate these ships as Invincible style light carriers, would they be interested in obtaining an AEW rotorcraft of some type like the proposed AEW versions of the Osprey or Merlin? Have there been any rumours of such interest?
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

...watch for them to bolt a ski jump onto these ships! :D

Assuming the Japanese want to operate these ships as Invincible style light carriers, would they be interested in obtaining an AEW rotorcraft of some type like the proposed AEW versions of the Osprey or Merlin? Have there been any rumours of such interest?
Have not heard any...but I am not sure that an AEW version of the Osprey will fit on those elevators in any case. It seems it would have to be a helo AEW platform of some type IMHO.
 

Vlad Plasmius

Junior Member
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.
 

adeptitus

Captain
VIP Professional
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.

It's not a conclusion, merely a speculation on its potential capabilities. This is a military forum and we have many carrier-wishers who get starry eyed at every ship that might be converted into an aircraft carrier.

I do not believe this ship will be used to operate fixed wing VSTOL aircraft. If and when the Japanese navy decide to operate fixed-wing carriers, they'll build a fixed-wing carrier for that purpose. This ship will most likely be operated as an ASW DDH/flagship and will never field fixed-wing jet aircraft from day one until its retirement to the scrapyard (or davy jones locker). Sames goes for S. Korea's LPH.

The Japanese DDH was built to replace its fleet of 30+ year of Shirane and Haruna class ASW DDH. As soon as the new DDH is in service the Haruna class DDH will be retired. Rather than comparing the new ship to HMS Invincible, I believe it'd be better compared to the HMS Ocean. The potential to operate (beyond just ferrying) fixed-wing aircraft is there, but it'd never be refitted for that purpose. Just my $0.02.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: JMSDF 16DDH Carrier Takes shape

While I agree it is suspicious that they would give such underwhelming specs, I don't see why you conclude it must be a full-fledged VSTOL carrier.
I am not saying that it either is, or must be...just that it could be. I do believe it is certainly much more capable, even in rotary compliment, than what has been advertised.

It certaianly is now shaping up to be a very fine looking ship.

As to F-35s...only time will tell. It may well be that one will never grace their decks. Even if they do not, these vessels are going to be a very capable vessels, and they will further fuel what is appearing more and more (with what the Japanese, Koreans, and Austarlians are doing) to be a continuing naval arms race in the area by these countries to counter what they perceive as the emerging power of the PLAN, who themselves are building very capable and modern vessels.
 
Top