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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Japanese engine for Australian frigates and Indian jets: A new era of Indo-Pacific defence ties
Japan's rise as a major arms exporter could give India the boost it needs to finally develop a homegrown fighter jet engine read more As Japan makes headway in maritime defence exports, India has been exploring potential aerospace collaborations with Tokyo, particularly in advanced jet engine technology. During a defence ministers' meeting in Delhi in May this year, India proposed a partnership with Japan on aero engine development, in what observers view as an effort to secure a high-performance powerplant for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. There is a lot of speculation about the chatter focussing on Japan's IHI XF9 engine, developed for its own next-generation fighter aircraft by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and IHI Corporation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The XF9 prototype reportedly delivers 11 tonnes of thrust without afterburner and 15 tonnes with afterburner, with design provisions for scalability up to 20 tons (ATLA, 2018). Its adaptability and modular architecture are seen as advantageous for the AMCA's operational requirements, which include sustained supercruise, agility and low observability. India's AMCA programme, led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), aims to field a fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of competing with regional rivals such as China's J-20. While prototypes are expected to fly initially with US-supplied General Electric F414 engines, these are considered an interim measure, with India seeking a more powerful propulsion system in the 110–130 kN thrust range for production models. Collaboration on the XF9 or a derivative could merge Japan's materials science and manufacturing expertise with India's expanding aerospace base, potentially overcoming long-standing indigenous engine development challenges, a report said. Strategic and political hurdles Any transfer of XF9 technology would require navigating Japan's still-cautious approach to defence exports. Although Tokyo has relaxed restrictions in recent years, most notably allowing Patriot missile shipments to the US for onward transfer to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Japan's growing comfort with complex multinational defence projects, evidenced by its participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the United Kingdom and Italy, suggests that political will for such ventures may be strengthening. If Tokyo and Canberra can successfully manage the frigate programme, it would bolster confidence in Japan's capacity to deliver sophisticated systems abroad, potentially paving the way for more ambitious collaborations with partners such as India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lessons from engine supply disruptions India's interest in diversifying its defence partnerships with Japan is partly informed by difficulties with Western suppliers. India signed a significant agreement with the United States in June 2023 to co-produce the more powerful GE F414 engine domestically for the Tejas Mk2, including an estimated 80 per cent technology transfer. While seen as a positive step, give the current geopolitical situation, India needs to actively pursue alternative suppliers as a hedge against potential bottlenecks. Options under consideration reportedly include France's Safran M88, already in service with the Indian Air Force's Rafales and Russia's Klimov RD-93MA, a modernised version of the MiG-series engine, another report said. Australia deal kindles hope for Japan Japan's ability to win and execute complex international defence contracts, as demonstrated in the naval sector, offers a useful indicator of its potential to deliver similarly sophisticated aerospace systems in partnership with India. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' (MHI) $6.5 billion frigate deal with Australia could mark a turning point in the regional defence perspective, particularly as nations look to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on a limited number of Western suppliers, Financial Times reported. From export restrictions to a breakthrough For decades after the Second World War, Japan maintained a self-imposed ban on almost all arms exports, effectively confining its technologically advanced industrial base to serving only its Self-Defence Forces. This policy shift began in 2014, when Tokyo eased restrictions, yet major international contracts remained elusive. The most notable setback came in 2016, when Japan lost out to France on a $35 billion Australian submarine contract. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The tide appeared to turn with the announcement earlier this year that MHI had been chosen as Australia's preferred supplier for a new class of frigates. The upgraded Mogami-class frigate design met Australia's operational needs, including a smaller crew complement of 90 compared to competing European designs requiring around 120 personnel, longer cruising ranges and increased weapons capacity. Moreover, MHI was able to guarantee delivery of the first vessel by 2029, plugging a capability gap as the Royal Australian Navy retires its Anzac-class ships. While the upfront cost was higher, Australian officials reportedly calculated that the Japanese design would be more economical over its lifetime due to lower operating and personnel expenses and a longer hull life, The Financial Times said in a report. The deal, if finalised as planned next year, would be Japan's first international sale of a complete lethal defence platform since 1945 and could serve as a model for future exports of warships, missile systems and radar technologies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Constraints on Japan's defence expansion Despite the milestone, Japan faces challenges in scaling up its defence production. Industry leaders have warned of capacity and labour shortages, particularly as Tokyo plans to increase defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027. Kawasaki Heavy Industries' chair Yoshinori Kanehana noted that red-hot demand had already strained production lines, with annual CH-47 Chinook helicopter orders nearly tripling from 2017 to 2024. He stressed that while the sector needed to expand capacity, recruiting and training specialised workers remained a significant hurdle, The Financial Times said. MHI's contract also involves producing the first three frigates in Japan, with the remaining eight to be built in Australia in partnership with Austal. Corey Wallace, an associate professor at Kanagawa University, cautioned that Japan's limited experience in managing overseas defence maintenance, services and supply chains could complicate the execution of such projects. Jennifer Parker of the Australian National University similarly told Financial Times that any delays could strain bilateral ties, though successful delivery could firmly establish Japan as a credible alternative supplier in the global arms market. Convergence of strategic interests The convergence of Japan's push to expand its defence exports, its proven industrial base and India's urgent need for diversified and advanced propulsion systems presents a window of opportunity for both countries. For India, securing Japanese engine technology could reduce dependence on Western suppliers, mitigate the risk of supply disruptions and accelerate the realisation of indigenous aerospace capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Japan, a successful collaboration would demonstrate its readiness to supply cutting-edge systems beyond its immediate alliance network, reinforcing its position in the global defence market.
Yomiuri Shimbun
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Defense Ministry to Conduct Railgun Prototype Firing Test on MSDF Ship; Eyed as Hypersonic Weapon Countermeasure
Courtesy of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency A prototype railgun being developed by the Defense Ministry The Defense Ministry plans to test a railgun prototype, a weapon that utilizes electromagnetic force instead of gunpowder to fire projectiles at very high speeds, on an experimental ship off the coast of Japan in the near future, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. Railguns are cutting-edge weapons that are considered a potential countermeasure against hypersonic weapons, which China and North Korea are developing. The defense ministry is eyeing the deployment of railguns with a view to installing them on Aegis-equipped ships. When an electric current is passed through a pair of parallel rails, a magnetic field is generated, which causes the metal projectile inside the railgun to be fired. It can generate much higher speeds and cover much further distances than conventional artillery. It is also considered advantageous in terms of the safety of JSDF personnel, as storing ammunition is easy because it does not use gunpowder. In addition to attacks on vessels, aircraft and drones, railguns have the potential to be used to intercept hypersonic weapons, which travel at least five times the speed of sound along irregular trajectories at low altitude. Railguns are considered to be a game changer that can transform the balance of power. Courtesy of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency A prototype railgun being developed by the Defense Ministry The ministry started research on railguns in fiscal 2016 and an offshore firing test was conducted using a small prototype on the Maritime Self Defense Forces' experimental ship JS Asuka in summer 2023. The upcoming test will use a prototype which is the expected size of those to be used in actual warfare – about six meters long and weighing about eight tons. This is the first offshore test using a near full-scale prototype, and the ministry will check such things as whether it can accurately reach its target. The ministry concluded the Terms of Reference for cooperation on railgun technologies with France, Germany and a research institute. Hoping to have railguns enter practical use, the ministry has also dispatched its technical officers to the U.S. military, which has suspended its railgun development, in order to utilize its experimental data. Railguns are being eyed for deployment on Aegis-equipped ships and new-model destroyers. However, some issues still need to be solved, such as rails being damaged over time by the projectiles, making continuous firing difficult and reducing the muzzle velocity. China has also accelerated its railgun development. According to Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post, China's Naval University of Engineering revealed that it had succeeded in firing off 120 rounds in a research paper published in November 2023. The newspaper said that it would put 'China ahead of the pack, globally.'
AllAfrica
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- AllAfrica
Japan's hypersonic arsenal getting up to speed
Japan is ramping up its hypersonic weapons program amid mounting threats from China and North Korea, but technological gaps and dependence on the US defense industry could slow progress. This month, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced that it has successfully conducted flight tests for its island defense hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Four test launches were conducted at a site in California, with one launch in August 2024, two in November 2024 and one in January 2025. The stand-off missiles, designed to neutralize threats early and at long range, successfully demonstrated their expected flight performance, according to the Japanese language announcement. Japan's HGV research will be completed by 2025 while mass production has been underway since 2023. Previously, Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) released footage of a successful test launch of the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) in July 2024, signaling apparent significant hypersonic weaponry progress. The test showcased the 'Early Deployment Version (Block 1)' with plans for extended-range variants by 2030. The 900-kilometer-range HVGP will enter the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) service in 2026, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is reportedly speeding up the weapon's production. In March 2020, Japan unveiled two hypersonic weapon concepts: the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the HVGP. The HCM, powered by a scramjet engine, resembles conventional cruise missiles but offers higher speeds and longer ranges. Meanwhile, the HVGP features a solid-fuel rocket engine that propels its warhead and maintains high velocity while gliding to its target. At the tactical level, hypersonic weapons are essential to Japan's emerging counterstrike capabilities, although using them poses technical challenges. HGVs and HCMs showcase advanced missile technology. Launched from ballistic missiles, HGVs can hit speeds of up to Mach 20 and glide unpredictably to evade interception. They can perform evasive maneuvers in the terminal phase if energy allows. Conversely, HCMs utilize ramjets or scramjets for sustained speeds over Mach 6 and a booster for acceleration, enabling precise strikes in steep, fast dives. In a February 2021 RAND report, Satoru Mori and Shinichi Kitaoaka explain the tactical rationale for Japan's acquisition of hypersonic weapons. They mention that they can penetrate missile defenses and target critical infrastructure such as air and naval bases, logistics hubs and command centers. However, Masashi Murano points out in a March 2024 article for the Hudson Institute that Japan lacks several critical components needed for deep strike operations, such as escort jammers and sufficient aerial tankers. Murano notes that Japan has substantial gaps in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR-T) capabilities for hitting mobile, time-sensitive targets and still struggles to build warheads for hardened targets. While Japan is speeding up its hypersonic weapons program to guard against a potential conflict in its disputed islands with China and Russia, and to deter regional missile threats, it must also address its critical dependency on the US and defense industry constraints. As noted by Katsuhisa Furukawa in an April 2021 report for Open Nuclear Network, Japan could utilize hypersonic weapons to breach enemy defenses during a possible invasion of its remote islands, particularly in the Senkaku Islands contested with China. Furukawa suggests launching them at multiple trajectories from multiple platforms to maximize the advantages of hypersonic weapons. He says that while those weapons could conceivably strike missile storage and launch facilities in China and North Korea, maneuvering could reduce their ranges, necessitating air-launch platforms like the F-35. Furthermore, The Mainichi reported in December 2024 that Japan would earmark US$1.57 billion to speed up hypersonic weapons development. That amount is on top of $130 million allocated to mass-produce long-range missiles starting this April in FY 2025. Japan will allocate $110 million to mass-produce an improved version of its Type 12 extended-range shore-based anti-ship missile and $19.75 million for a submarine-launched version. However, Japan's defense industry faces significant challenges in achieving these goals. Gordon Arthur mentions in an article for Asia Military Review this month that Japan remains dependent on imported US weapons and that its defense industry is uncompetitive because of small order sizes from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and self-imposed export restrictions. He mentions that Japan has implemented a direct financial support scheme for its defense manufacturers to address those shortfalls. However, Grant Newsham says Japan's long-term overreliance on the US has hobbled its ability to defend itself. He assesses that Japan cannot defend itself alone against China, let alone adding in North Korea and Russia, and that there is no substitute for the US defense 'services' in Asia. As for the strategic impact of Japan's counterstrike capabilities, Fabian Hoffman mentions in a May 2024 article for the peer-reviewed Journal of Strategic Studies that long-range conventional strike (LRS) weapons, such as cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, have four primary strategic functions: counter-population, strategic interdiction, counter-leadership and counterforce. He mentions that LRS weapons can weaken an adversary's will or capacity to resist by targeting enemy populations, critical infrastructure, leadership and military assets. Japan's National Security Strategy 2022 and National Defense Strategy 2022 outline the country's rationale for acquiring conventional counterstrike capabilities in a complex security environment. The National Security Strategy emphasizes the need for proactive measures to safeguard Japan's sovereignty and regional stability, citing escalating missile threats and geopolitical competition. Meanwhile, the National Defense Strategy highlights counterstrike capabilities as essential for deterring and disrupting missile attacks. It stresses that these capabilities will be used as a last resort under constitutional and self-defense principles to bolster deterrence while maintaining Japan's defense-oriented policy. At the same time, Japan's efforts to build counterstrike capabilities may stoke a regional arms race. Michiru Nishida mentions in a November 2023 article in the peer-reviewed Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament that China has expressed significant concerns about Japan's development of intermediate-range missiles, particularly regarding their dual-use nature, which means they could carry conventional or nuclear warheads, with some voices pushing for Japan to procure the latter. From China's perspective, Nishida says ensuring these missiles are not equipped with nuclear warheads is vital to avoid a regional arms race and reduce the risk of miscalculation. However, he says China remains skeptical of Japan's military intentions, perceiving these missile developments as a potential threat to its security and regional influence.
