The Japanese Self-Defense Force launched a new class of amphibious vessels on Tuesday to serve a new unit focused on maritime logistics to resupply and reinforce its southwestern islands.
JS Nihonbare (LCU-4151) was bult at Naikai Shipbuilding Corportation’s Setoda shipyard, and is the first ship for the Self-Defense Force Maritime Unit. Naval News reported that the amphibious vessel around and can transport a dozen vehicles or containers at speeds of 15.5 knots. Nihonbare’s capabilities are similar to those of the U.S. Army’s Runnymede-class large landing crafts, which the 8th Theatre Sustainment Command deployed in Japan and across the region for exercises. According to the Ministry of Defense, the new tentative unit will include personnel from all three Japan Self-Defense Force branches and will be established before the end of FY 2024.
The idea of the Self-Defense Force Maritime Unit came as Tokyo identified the need to acquire a logistical capability to transport equipment and personnel to the increasingly important Southwestern region in the 2018 Medium Term Defense Program. The Japan Self-Defense Force struggles to transport and resupply forces within the new coastal defense formations in the Ryukus, a chain of islands between Japan and Taiwan, with its larger vessels and small amphibious fleet being unable to handle the vast archipelago. Alongside the creation of the new unit, Japanese forces have also used the many ferries used for civilian purposes across the region.
On October 29, the naming ceremony and launching ceremony for the LCU “NIHONBARE” that operated by the SDF Maritime Transport Group (tentative name),joint unit of the three SDF services, pic.twitter.com/CtUhDUNnlN
— 陸上自衛隊 (@JGSDF_pr) October 29, 2024
“LCUs are employed to transport troops and supplies to ports in shallow islands. The acquisition of LCU will enable prompt and reliable transportation in the southwestern islands etc. dotted with large and small islands, and will contribute to strengthening the island defense system,” according to a Japan Ground-Self Defense Force press release.
According to the 2018 plan, the unit was slated to receive two landing craft utilities and one logistical support vessel. A vessel similar to Nihonbare appeared to be under construction in the same dock during the ceremony, although it is unclear if this is the second landing craft utility originally specified. Naval News also reported that the unit is expected to contain up to 10 vessels, including four vessels of the Nihonbare-class, two 3,500-ton transport vessels and four maneuver support vessels.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s examination of littoral maneuver is in line with efforts from its partners in the Australian and U.S. armies, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps.
For Tokyo, its Southwestern region, previously neglected due to a Cold War focus on Hokkaido against the Soviet Union, is now receiving an influx of troops, missiles and sensors as Chinese forces step up their passages through the area between the first and second island chains.
Washington has also stepped up its commitments to the region by modernizing its deployments of fighter jets and Marine Corps units to Okinawa. The Air Force announced that 36 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft would be stationed at Naha Air Base in July and last fall, the Marine Corps activated the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment at Camp Hansen.
