Latest news with #MaritimeSelfDefenseForce
Japan Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba inspects MSDF vessels in apparent bid to highlight shipbuilding prowess
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Maizuru base in Kyoto Prefecture on Sunday to inspect vessels. Ishiba also talked with officials of Japan Marine United, which builds Self-Defense Forces ships, in an apparent move to highlight his country's technological capabilities in the shipbuilding sector. Tokyo has offered cooperation in shipbuilding as a bargaining chip in its tariff negotiations with the United States. "The United States is interested in whether U.S. warships can be repaired in Japan," Ishiba said, showing a readiness to provide such assistance as part of proposed bilateral cooperation in the area of shipbuilding. "Japan has an advantage in icebreaker technologies," he stated, adding that this expertise, as well as the issue of Arctic shipping routes, will become increasingly important. On Sunday, Ishiba boarded the sophisticated Mogami-class frigate Agano and the Hyuga, a helicopter carrier, to inspect the ships for about two hours. After that, he gave a speech to MSDF members. "The current size of the SDF personnel is only 90% of the prescribed level. This is an extremely serious problem," he said. "How to secure enough crew members for MSDF ships is also a problem," he added, expressing his eagerness to improve the treatment of SDF personnel. Ishiba also had a dialogue session with members at the MSDF Maizuru District Headquarters. Japan Marine United is building an Aegis system-equipped ship for missile defense and the country's first Arctic research vessel with ice-breaking capability. After visiting the company's Maizuru shipyard, Ishiba moved to Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, for talks with officials of construction machinery maker Komatsu.
Japan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba inspects MSDF vessels in apparent bid highlight shipbuilding prowess
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Maizuru base in Kyoto Prefecture on Sunday to inspect vessels. Ishiba also talked with officials of Japan Marine United, which builds SDF ships, in an apparent move to highlight his country's technological capabilities in the shipbuilding sector. Tokyo has offered cooperation in shipbuilding as a bargaining chip in its tariff negotiations with the United States. On Sunday, Ishiba boarded the sophisticated Mogami-class frigate Agano and the Hyuga, a helicopter-carrier, to inspect the ships for about two hours. After that, he gave a speech to MSDF members. "The current size of the SDF personnel is only 90% of the prescribed level. This is an extremely serious problem," he said. "How to secure enough crew members for MSDF ships is also a problem," he added, expressing his eagerness to improve the treatment of SDF personnel. Ishiba also had a dialogue session with members at the MSDF Maizuru District Headquarters. Japan Marine United is building an Aegis system-equipped ship for missile defense and the country's first Arctic research vessel with ice-breaking capability. After visiting the company's Maizuru shipyard, Ishiba will move to Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, for talks with officials of construction machinery maker Komatsu.
Japan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Railguns, missiles and lasers: Japan uses massive defense event to highlight shift
A cutting-edge railgun, new missiles, a high-powered laser and a myriad of drones were just some of the advanced military tech on display Wednesday as Japan kicked off its largest-ever defense exhibition — part of a move to highlight its growing openness to international collaboration and even the once-taboo topic of defense exports. The range of products and systems being displayed by both Japanese firms and the Defense Ministry at the three-day DSEI Japan defense exhibition in Chiba is both diverse and sophisticated, and comes amid soaring international and regional tensions. Ranging from a multipurpose combat naval drone and upgraded Type-12 missile systems to the UNICORN integrated antenna system and a potential new advanced trainer jet, the kit is part of a marketing push supported by the Defense Ministry and its Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). Among this year's highlights is a model of a railgun system intended to be installed on warships that uses electricity to launch projectiles at speeds much higher than conventional guns. A prototype of the weapon is already undergoing trials aboard a Maritime Self-Defense Force test vessel. A model of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's upgraded Mogami-class frigate is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense exhibition. The vessel is currently being pitched for sale to Australia. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ Also on display was a Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle mounting a high-power laser system that can be used to defend against drones, enabling a lower-cost response compared with missiles and other countermeasures. To better defend its remote southwestern islands, Japan is currently working on several systems, including an improved variant of the ground-launched Type-12 system, a model of which was on display. Another such system is a hyper-velocity gliding projectile being developed for the GSDF that can travel at high altitudes and supersonic speeds, making it difficult to intercept. Defense Ministry officials told The Japan Times that development of this supersonic weapon — which was shown in a video at the event — is set to be completed this year, with induction slated for either 2026 or 2027. A model of the Global Combat Air Program fighter jet is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense exhibition. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ Unmanned systems were also prominent at DSEI Japan, with ATLA revealing that it is conducting research on a multipurpose maritime vessel aimed at supporting naval combat missions. Based on a modular design, the uncrewed ship could carry out a diverse range of roles ranging from surveillance missions to launching anti-ship missiles. Japanese firms also used the event to unveil their latest tech, including ShinMaywa's XU-M amphibious drone. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), meanwhile, showcased several concepts of uncrewed armored combat vehicles, including amphibious variants, that can deploy small aerial drones, as well as a scale model of long-endurance lithium ion battery-powered submarine drone. Another of MHI's highlights was the unveiling of the T-X trainer aircraft concept, which is being pitched as a replacement for the Air Self-Defense Force's T-4 trainer to support flight training for student pilots and operational training in fighter squadrons. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass speaks during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition in the city of Chiba on Wednesday. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ Equipped with software to simulate an enemy aircraft's radar and weapon systems, the twin-engine T-X is expected to enable training for both fifth- and sixth-generation fighters, potentially including future pilots of the next-generation fighter aircraft being developed jointly by Japan, Britain and Italy under the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP). The trilateral defense project is Japan's largest ever with a country other than the U.S. and featured prominently at the exhibition. Indeed, defense cooperation is a key focus of the event, with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani vowing in a speech to promote military-industrial collaboration between Japan and others as a means of strengthening regional peace and stability. 'The security environment in the Indo-Pacific is going through great change,' Nakatani said. 'It's becoming more complex and diverse, and the enhancement of defense collaboration with allies and like-minded countries is becoming increasingly important.' A model of Japan's new Type-12 anti-ship missile is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense exhibition. The upgraded version of the weapon aims to extend its range to at least 900 kilometers, and eventually to 1,200 km. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ Japan has reached a spate of defense cooperation deals with other nations in recent years, but its ties with the United States under President Donald Trump are being closely watched. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass said in a speech at the event that the alliance's strength comes from expanding and elevating its capabilities and capacity, 'which means leveraging our respective skills and our specialties in co-development, co-production and co-sustainment.' 'The alliance cannot afford to rest on its laurels in the face of determined adversaries,' Glass added, in what was widely seen as a thinly veiled reference to China, North Korea and Russia. 'The United States and Japan must be prepared to invest and innovate like never before — and with an urgency, never seen before.' The vehicle-mounted laser weapon system developed by the Defense Ministry's Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency is seen at the DSEI Japan defense exhibition. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ This year's iteration of the event is bringing together around 450 national and international exhibitors — compared with 291 companies two years ago — according to organizers, as firms unveil their latest advancements in a variety of fields, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and space technology. Heightened regional tensions along with Tokyo's recent defense policy shift have led to Japan's largest defense contractors experiencing a surge in the sale of military assets, be they warships, aircraft, missiles or other defense gear. MHI, for instance, reported earlier this month that its year-on-year order intake increased by ¥31.4 billion ($218 million), with the company forecasting further growth over the coming years. 'When the Japanese government announced that it would be doubling its defense spending to reach 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027, both the domestic and foreign defense industries saw a significant growth opportunity in the Japanese market,' a former U.S.-Japan alliance manager said on condition of anonymity. A model of the multipurpose combat-support USV developed by the Defense Ministry's Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency is seen at the DSEI exhibition. The vessel is intended to be operated autonomously or remotely from a land-based control facility. | GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ As part of dramatic revisions to key defense documents in late 2022, Japan has been seeking to boost the presence of domestic firms at international defense exhibitions as it seeks to increase exports. To enable this, the government has simultaneously been easing its strict arms export controls as well as signing defense equipment and tech transfers agreements with numerous countries. Simon Chelton, of the London-based RUSI think tank, said that the latest exhibition reflects that Japanese companies are beginning to understand how to engage with the international defense market after years of an almost strictly domestic focus. 'While they are still often constrained by fears of adverse public perception, the environment has changed substantially over the past decade, particularly since the first-ever defense exhibition held in Japan: MAST 2015,' Chelton said. The Defense Ministry's increased support — 'substantially greater' than that of 10 years ago — also doesn't hurt, he said. This, he added, has likely been informed by Japan's failed 2016 bid to sell Soryu submarines to Australia. The development of DSEI over the past six years into a much more robust show, Chelton said, 'reflects the greater maturity of Japan towards international collaboration and defense exports.'
The Sun
23-04-2025
- The Sun
Terrifying new giant railgun unveiled by Japanese Navy as futuristic hypersonic weapon uses magnets to fire at 5,600mph
THE Japanese Navy has unveiled a terrifying new giant railgun that uses magnets to fire at 5,600mph. The futuristic hypersonic weapon was spotted on board the JS Asuka warship, as Japan accelerates its defences amid mounting tensions in the region. 2 The railgun was pictured by Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) undergoing some advanced testing. JMSDF confirmed that the commander of its Self Defense Fleet Vice Admiral Omachi Katsushi had visited the warship 'to observe the latest status of the railgun'. The mega-weapon weighs a hefty eight tonnes and has a barrel length of 20ft. Using electromagnets, it unleashes 40mm steel projectiles weighing 320g at targets such as ships, missiles, and aircraft - at 6.5 times the speed of sound. Railguns could revolutionise the way wars are fought as they have the potential to wipe out incoming hypersonic ballistic missiles A railgun is a type of weapon that uses powerful electromagnets to accelerate projectiles to very high speeds. Conventional weapons typically use explosives or propellant to launch ammunition, but electromagnetic forces make it possible for a railgun to achieve a much higher "muzzle velocity". While a normal gun might manage a projectile speed of around 4,000mph, a railgun could blast out projectiles faster than 5,600mph. This also means you don't need to transport explosive propellants or warheads - making a railgun-toting warship much safer than traditional vessels. The unveiling of the new weapon system comes as threats have increased in the region - from China, Russia and North Korea. Moment world's first railgun to be fired at SEA shoots steel round at unstoppable 6,000mph…6.5 times the speed of sound And the railgun 'supports the development of Japan's future combat readiness and national defence posture,' according to JMSDF. Research into the new weapon system started in 2016 and it carried out its first onboard firing test in October 2023. Incredible footage from the firing test showed the 44mm-calibre weapon shoot a number of rounds into the ocean from a ship But Japan is not the only country developing a railgun - China has been working on its own version for years in secret. In 2018, leaked images showed Chinese warship Haiyang Shan - a landing craft, equipped with a prototype electromagnetic railgun. The images were leaked online by an analyst called Dafeng Cao, who observes China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Cao sourced a number of images of a PLAN Type 072III-class warship from China's social media site Weibo, apparently showing a railgun on board. The US has been unsuccessful in its attempts to build a railgun system thus far. Several contractors attempted to build a system for US ships for years, including BAE Systems, which created a prototype. The gun was mooted to shoot projectiles at speeds of more than Mach 7 over a range of 100 miles. But the project was eventually scrapped after ten years in 2021 due to budget issues and a lack of interest. The project cost a whopping $500million.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Japan's navy unveils railgun designed to down China's hypersonic missiles
Japan's navy has unveiled a ship-mounted electromagnetic railgun intended to down incoming Chinese hypersonic missiles. The large futuristic-looking weapon system was pictured last week undergoing advanced stages of testing on the flight deck of the experimental JS Asuka warship. Tokyo has been intensely focused on fielding its next-generation weapons as threats increase in the Indo-Pacific from China, Russia and North Korea. The railgun does not require explosives or propellant but relies on electromagnetic energy to launch projectiles at supersonic speeds, providing a cost-effective and quick response to potential fast-moving missile threats. It fires at higher velocities than regular weaponry, with its ammunition travelling at 2,500 metres per second (m/s), compared to traditional tank guns, which fire shells at speeds of around 1,750 m/s. Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) said that Vice Admiral Omachi Katsushi, the commander of the Self Defense Fleet, had visited the Asuka 'to observe the latest status of the railgun, which is under development at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency'. Officials said the weapon would bolster naval missile defences, having the potential to engage air, sea and land targets with higher levels of accuracy than conventional munitions. Research into the new weapon system started in 2016 and it carried out its first onboard firing test in October 2023. The railgun 'supports the development of Japan's future combat readiness and national defence posture' JMSDF said last week. Japan needed to strengthen its country's defence capabilities after it estimated it had only 60 per cent of the interceptor missiles needed for national defence in 2022. The US navy suspended its own railgun programme in 2021 after a decade in development that cost more than $500million over significant power and overheating challenges. But China has been developing its own electromagnetic gun for years under a shroud of secrecy. In 2018, photographs showed Chinese warship Haiyang Shan, a landing craft, equipped with a prototype electromagnetic railgun. India, Russia and Turkey have also tested prototypes. The UK, despite research, is not building its own railgun. Instead, it is in the advanced stages of developing a direct energy weapon known as DragonFire. Tipped as a revolutionary weapon, DragonFire uses lasers to down drones and missiles with an intense light beam, not projectiles fired by electromagnetic forces, and costs £10 a shot. Ukraine has developed its own laser weapon which is understood to have been modelled on a UK prototype after designs were shared with Kyiv in 2024. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
