Rentaka - Rentaka Defence Portal

JAPAN GIVES VIETNAM SIX SHIPS TO BOOST MARITIME PATROL

4/8/2014

By: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com)

said Friday it would give Vietnam six vessels to boost the communist country’s capacity to patrol its territorial waters, amid a bitter maritime dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.

The deal for the six used vessels, worth 500 million yen ($5 million), was announced in Hanoi during a two-day visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida aimed at deepening bilateral ties.

Mitsubishi Electric eyes F-35 missile deal with Europe's MBDA: sources

6/7/2014

BY: Tim Kelly & Nobuhiro Kubo (www.reuters.com)

Japan's Mitsubishi Electric has agrred to take the first step towards a partnership with European missile maker MBDA to develop a medium-range air-to-air missile for the F-35 stealth fighter, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

HISTORIC SHIFT AS JAPAN EXPANDS SCOPE OF ITS MILITARY

2/7/2014

JASDF F-4EJ taking off. JSDF although potent, is structured purely for Japan's self defence only. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com)

Japan, on Tueusday loosened the bonds on its powerful military, proclaiming the right to go into battle in defence of allies, in a highly controversial shift in the nation’s pacifist stance.

After months of political horsetrading and browbeating of opponents, conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his cabinet had formally endorsed a reinterpretation of rules that have banned the use of armed force except in very narrowly-defined circumstances.

Japan's military is back — and open for business

2/6/2014

Japan Self-Defense Forces are hardly toothless. Their Kongo classs destroyer have the capability to shoot down ballistic missiles. (Photo: US Navy)

By: Kyle Mizokami (www.theweek.com)

Every two years in Paris, the Eurosatory Defense Trade Show boasts the most advanced weapons systems on the market. Defense contractors from dozens of countries hawk the latest military equipment to delegations from around the world, hoping to seal orders and bring home business.

This year, names such as Mitsubishi, Toshiba, and Kawasaki will make an appearance, markingthe first time ever that Japanese defense contractors will appear at an international arms show. It's yet another example of Japan's swiftly changing attitudes towards issues of war and peace.

Report: 3 US Navy Planes Crushed in Japan Snow

7/5/2014

A US Navy patrol plane commander disembarks a P-3 Orion aircraft in snowy weather in 2011 at Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan. At least three US Navy P-3 Orion surveillance planes were crushed 'beyond repair' when unusually heavy snowfall swept across Japan in February. (MC2 Devon Dow / US Navy)

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE (http://www.defensenews.com)

TOKYO — At least three US Navy P-3 Orion surveillance planes were crushed “beyond repair” when unusually heavy snowfall swept across Japan in February, a US military daily reported Wednesday.

The planes were inside a contractor’s hangar near the US Navy air facility in Atsugi, west of Tokyo, the Pacific Stars and Stripes said in its online edition, citing a US Naval spokeswoman.

Chinese Threat, Disaster Relief Drive Asia-Pacific Acquisition

6/5/2014

Japan and Singapore are interested in acquiring V-22 Osprey. (Photo: fas.org)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defenews.com)

Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are seeking a variety of helicopters, including the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, to offset China’s growing maritime threat in the East China and South China seas, and to deal with other security issues, such as humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

The stronger trend in Asia appears to be toward procuring utility helicopters, but attack helicopters are also in demand.

Japan Bolsters Southern Air Defenses

27/4/2014

By: David Donald (www.ainonline.com)

In response to growing Chinese incursions into Japanese airspace, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has established a new permanent squadron of Northrop Grumman Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft on the island of Okinawa. The ministry of defense has also broken ground for a new radar site on Japan’s most westerly island, Yonaguni.

Obama's army of protectors

23/4/2014

US President Barack Obama surrounded by a team of Secret Service agents. (Photo: heavy.com)

By: Tharanya Arumugam (www.nst.com.my)

A FULL-FLEDGED United States Secret Service team will accompany President Barack Obama around the clock as he sets foot here on Saturday.The three-day visit is part of his Asia tour to three other Asian countries: Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Defence Services Asia: Export decision allows Japan to target SE Asian market

10/4/2014

With Australia already succeeded in acquiring ex-JMSDF submarines, the door may be open for Southeast asian countries to procure advanced weapon systems from Japan? (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Joyce de Thouars (www.shepardmedia.com)

Japan’s removal of its arms export ban could offer up opportunities for defence sales to Southeast Asian countries, government officials have divulged.

The news follows a decision on 1 April by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to approve a plan to ease the restrictions on arms exports.

Australia in talks to buy Japanese submarines to upgrade fleet

8/4/2014

Royal Australian Navy is considering acquiring Soryu class subs to augment its Collins class subs.

By: News (www.news.com.au)

ALMOST 72 years after Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbour killing 21 sailors, Australia could buy Japanese subs for its $30 billion replacement program.

Possible access to Japanese technology and even a so-called “military off-the-shelf” deal to buy the boats is on the agenda during high-level defence talks in Tokyo betweenPrime Minister Tony Abbott and senior Japanese officials.

Japan Lifts Own Blanket Arms Export Ban

1/4/2014

New rules could allow Tokyo to supply weaponry to nations that sit along important sea lanes to help them fight piracy — an important strategic consideration for resource-poor Japan. (Photo: US Navy)

By: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com)

Japan on Tuesday lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports, introducing new rules covering the arms trade in a move supporters say will boost Tokyo's global role, but which unnerved China.

The cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a new plan that replaces the 1967 blanket ban, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

Under the policy, arms sales are banned to conflict-plagued countries or nations that could undermine international peace and security, the sales must contribute to international peace and boost officially pacifist Japan's security.

Japan Highlights Increased Airspace Incursion By China

20/3/2014

JASDF fighters intercepted this Chinese Tu-154 intelligence-gathering platform in Japanese ADIZ last November. (Photo: JASDF)

By: David Donald (www.ainonline.com)

Earlier this month Japan released some details about the growth of incursions by Chinese aircraft into Japanese airspace. The release of information comes after China unilaterally declared the establishment of its East China SeaADIZ (air defense identification zone) last November. The figures show a significant rise in the number of interceptions being launched by the JASDF (Japan air self-defence force) against Chinese intruders.

US, Japan to Jointly Develop Littoral Combat Ship

9/3/2014

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2)

By: J. Micheal Cole (www.thediplomat.com)

Amid escalating tensions between Japan and China, a 12.2 percent budget increase in China’s defense spending, and fears that budget cuts for the U.S. military could have a negative impact on the United States’ ability to “pivot” to Asia, U.S. and Japanese officials have announced plans to co-develop a new high-speed vessel capable of carrying helicopters.

Report: Japan Moves To Relax Arms-Export Ban

26/2/2014

Type 10 MBT prototype during trials. Japan's move to relax its arms export ban could lead to acquisition of such sophisticated weapon systems to other nations. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Agence France- Presse (www.afp.com)

Japan’s ruling party wants to loosen self-imposed rules banning arms exports in a bid to boost the country’s defense influence, a report said Wednesday, a move that would mark a major shift from its pacifism and could irritate China.

BAE Takes Aim at F-15 and F/A-18 Upgrade Work

13/2/2014

F-15E in action over Afghanistan. Expected to serve until 2030, it present a huge market for upgrades. (Photo: USAF)

By: Andrew Chuter (www.defensenews.com)

With a substantial contract under its belt to upgrade South Korea’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s, BAE Systems is now looking to extend its activities in the market for modifying other nations’ aircraft by looking at Boeing’s F-15 and F/A-18 jets, said executives from the US arm of the British-based company.

BAE returned to the Singapore Airshow for the first time in years, hoping that a local program to update F-16s might be thrown open to competition rather handed to aircraft builder Lockheed Martin, as looks the case right now.