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Japan Forward
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
DSEI Japan: Showcasing Innovation Amid Rising Threats
DSEI Japan, the country's largest defense trade exhibition, was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba from May 21 to 23. Originally launched in the United Kingdom, the event has taken place in Japan biannually since 2021, making this its third running. The 2025 event was the largest to date, featuring 471 exhibitors from 33 countries. Japanese companies comprised roughly 40% of all participants, reflecting the nation's growing interest in the defense industry. On May 22, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first sitting Japanese leader to attend the exhibition. He delivered a speech stressing his commitment to defense equipment collaboration with allies and partner nations. "Advancing collaboration in equipment transfer, joint development, and joint production is crucial for promoting peace and stability in Japan and the region," he said. Ishiba highlighted China's "unilateral attempts to change the status quo" in the East and South China Seas, North Korea's ballistic missile launches, and expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. "The security environment is becoming increasingly severe," he said. Kawasaki Heavy Industries' unmanned helicopter can carry 200 kg of cargo. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Ishiba added, "Equipment cooperation will help strengthen deterrence not only for our country but also for our allies and partners." The Prime Minister also mentioned the significance of Japan, the UK, and Italy collaborating on the next-generation fighter jet, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). "This will lay the foundation for broad coordination with the UK and Italy for generations to come," he said. After his speech, Ishiba toured the venue, observing the latest defense technology. The exhibition featured cutting-edge technologies, including gears, small arms, large ships, unmanned vehicles, and cybersecurity systems. Japan's Ministry of Defense drew particular attention with its "railgun" (electromagnetic cannon) designed to intercept hypersonic missiles. Japan's Ministry of Defense unveils "rail gun" at the DSEI exhibit (left) on May 21. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Rising geopolitical tensions are boosting demand for unmanned aircraft and automated, labor-saving technologies. They are also accelerating innovation to enhance soldier safety. Sweden's SAAB showcased a training system for anti-tank recoilless rifles. Meanwhile, Turkish firm OTOKAR displayed an armored vehicle designed for countering anti-tank mines. A Ukrainian company unveiled a drone-based precision strike system, gaining attention for its technology honed through real combat experience. SAAB showcases a training system for firing anti-tank recoilless rifles. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) On May 21, United States Ambassador to Japan George Glass attended the opening ceremony at the US Pavilion. In his remarks, the ambassador emphasized the need for regional stability and stronger deterrence."Coordination among allies in the Indo-Pacific, joint development, and joint production are essential. Collaboration between American and Japanese defense industries is indispensable," he said. Ambassador George Glass speaks at the opening ceremony of the US Pavilion. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Kawasaki Heavy Industries presented an unmanned helicopter capable of carrying up to 200 kilograms of supplies for potential use in island defense. Meanwhile, Rakuten Group emphasized its support for Ukrainian startups through partnerships with Ukrainian government agencies. The Rakuten and Ukrainian agencies' booth showcases support for startups. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Defense Minister Gen Nakatani tours the exhibition on May 21. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, who toured the venue on the first day, said, "The number of enlistments in the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) is declining, making the introduction of drones and labor-saving equipment essential." The SDF has a capacity of around 247,000 personnel, but is projected to face a shortfall of 23,000 by the end of 2024. Japan's defense system continues to evolve. The FY2025 defense budget is set at ¥8.4748 trillion JPY ($58.8 billion USD). This level represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year and reaches 1.8% of GDP. In 2020, the Air Self-Defense Force established a Space Operations Squadron to focus on outer space. Space surveillance has become increasingly vital, as evidenced by foreign firms capturing real-time satellite images of a North Korean destroyer grounding during its launch ceremony. A model of the next-generation fighter jet being jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) The next-generation fighter jet under development, GCAP, mentioned by Ishiba, is expected to outperform the American stealth fighter F-35. However, as China and Russia rapidly expand their military power, Japan must further strengthen its defense capabilities. ( Read this in Japanese ) Author: Hidemitsu Kaito
India.com
30-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Jittery Pakistan Fears Pahalgam Retaliation As India Strengthens Military Arsenal Amid Rising Tensions At Border
Pahalgam Terror Attack: As India mulls its options to retaliate against Pakistan following the dreadful terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, Swedish company SAAB said that it has delivered the AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian Armed Forces. The latest addition to India's arsenal will ensure a big edge to New Delhi over Pakistan amid the simmering tensions along the border over the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. In a post on X, SAAB India confirmed the delivery of the weapon system and said that India has procured the AT4CS AST variant, specifically designed for confined space operations, including use from within buildings, bunkers, and other urban environments. 'We are proud to announce the successful delivery of our AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian Armed Forces. Selected through a competitive evaluation, AT4 joins India's arsenal as a trusted single-shot solution for short-range combat. India has procured the AT4CS AST variant, specifically designed for confined space operations—including use from within buildings, bunkers, and other urban environments. This marks a milestone moment as the Indian Armed Forces, long-standing users of our Carl-Gustaf system, extend their trust to our AT4 weapon system as well,' the company said. We are proud to announce the successful delivery of our AT4 anti-armour weapon system to the Indian Armed Forces. Selected through a competitive evaluation, AT4 joins India's arsenal as a trusted single-shot solution for short-range combat. India has procured the AT4CS AST… — Saab India (@SaabIndia) April 28, 2025 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian Armed Forces and said that they have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the response. The decision came following the meeting with Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff Gen on Tuesday. During the high-level meeting, PM Modi affirmed that it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. The PM expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian Armed Forces and said that they have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response. Hours after PM Modi's meeting, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar warned on Wednesday of an Indian military attack within the next 24 to 36 hours, based on what he described as "credible intelligence" of Indian intentions to employ last week's Pahalgam attack as a pretext for aggression. Tarar made the warning through social media, stating, "Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours using the Pahalgam incident as a false pretext. Any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response. India will be fully responsible for any serious consequences in the region." The warning follows growing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after one killed 26 people at a tourist resort in Indian-held Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistani elements for the attack, which has led to a series of retaliatory actions from both nations.
Reuters
04-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Swedish defence firm SAAB hopes Columbia jet deal will trigger more South America business
STOCKHOLM, April 4 (Reuters) - Swedish defence firm SAAB ( opens new tab is confident that a deal to provide Colombia with new combat aircraft will go through and could lead to more business in South America for the company. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on X on Thursday that the South American country had selected SAAB's JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Israeli fighter jets. "There is no contract yet but there is of course a very high probability that we will succeed with this. They have publicly said they have chosen us," SAAB CEO Micael Johansson told Reuters on Friday. Johansson declined to provide a value for the potential deal, saying it would depend on how many planes Colombia buys as well as any additional services such as training and maintenance. Colombia had a choice between the JAS 39 Gripen, French Dassault-made Rafale ( opens new tab, and the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin's F-16 (LMT.N), opens new tab jets, the commander of its Aerospace Force said on Thursday, and plans to buy 16 to 24 Gripens. Neighbour Brazil has already purchased 36 JAS 39 Gripen jets from SAAB and built an assembly plant for the aircraft in the country in partnership with SAAB. Brazil's order was a big factor in Colombia choosing SAAB, Johansson said. "It is really important, they look at each other, of course," he said, adding that he hoped SAAB could benefit from this when neighbouring Peru was ready to place its next fighter jet order. Johansson also said it was important to establish a local operation in South America to secure supply chains.
Reuters
06-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
European defence firms can step up to meet rising EU demand, says SAAB CEO
STOCKHOLM, March 6 (Reuters) - Europe's defence sector has the capacity to meet rising demand for military equipment as EU member states scramble to boost defences, the CEO of Swedish defence company SAAB ( opens new tab said on Thursday, but contract talks needed to be sped up. Europe is racing to boost military spending in a "sea change" moment for the bloc as Washington threatens to pull back aid. European Union leaders are set to discuss a proposal to mobilise up to 800 billion euros ($840 billion) at an emergency defence summit on Thursday. That sparked a rally in the share prices of regional defence companies, which have been bullish about their ability to ramp up production, though cautioned this will take time and will rely on governments turning rhetoric into solid contracts. "We can do it, absolutely," SAAB CEO Micael Johansson told Reuters, when asked if Europe's sector could step up in the wake of Donald Trump's suspension of military aid to Ukraine, locked in a years long war after its invasion by Russia. "It's not done in a week or a month ... but I'm completely convinced that it can be done." While European defence firms are in a stage of rapid expansion, the top five arms producing companies were all American in 2023, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. SAAB, which makes jets, submarines and anti-tank systems, has seen its share price soar 60% this year. It competes with defence giants such as U.S. firm Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab, France's Dassault ( opens new tab and Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab. Johansson said concrete volumes and orders would need to be discussed earlier during talks with national governments to give firms confidence to expand. He added there remained bottlenecks in supply chains for certain components and gunpowder. "Then we can from an industry side start to take a little more risk ... while we actually negotiate the contracts. That needs to be a lot faster, that loop," he said.
Bloomberg
03-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Defense Stocks Surge: EU Leaders Commit to Ukraine Support
Markets are starting the week with geopolitics dominating as European leaders assemble what Britain called a 'coalition of the willing' to secure Ukraine following an Oval Office clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The euro gained and defense stocks rallied as a concerted push by European leaders fueled bets on a wave of military spending. Defense stocks soared, boosting the market capitalization of the sector by about $30 billion in Monday's session as BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and SAAB rose higher. In crypto markets, Bitcoin retreated, trimming a Sunday rally spurred by President Donald Trump's comments on a strategic crypto reserve. The Opening Trade has everything you need to know as markets open across Europe. With analysis you won't find anywhere else, we break down the biggest stories of the day and speak to top guests who have skin in the game. Hosted by Anna Edwards, Guy Johnson and Lizzy Burden. (Source: Bloomberg)
