Tag Archives: Japan

Japan Faces Readiness Hurdle As it Modernizes Military, Former Defense Chief Says

Japan Faces Readiness Hurdle As it Modernizes Military, Former Defense Chief Says

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 Chinook, lands on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during a bilateral simulated casualty pick up in the Philippine Sea, March 10, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

Japan’s toughest hurdle, as it launches an unprecedented military modernization program and doubles defense spending, is the operational readiness of its air, naval and land forces, a former chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said Thursday. Read More

Congress Notified of Potential $1.4B E-2D Hawkeye Sale to Japan

Congress Notified of Potential $1.4B E-2D Hawkeye Sale to Japan

An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the ‘Black Eagles’ of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, recovers on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Feb. 5, 2022. US Navy Photo

The State Department issued a notification of the potential sale of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft to Japan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced today. Read More

America ARG, Makin Island ARG Will Join Cobra Gold 2023

America ARG, Makin Island ARG Will Join Cobra Gold 2023

An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 362 (Rein.), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), lands on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) in the Gulf of Thailand, Feb. 22, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Navy’s two Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG) deployed in the Indo-Pacific – the Makin Island ARG and the America ARG – will participate in major exercises in Thailand and Japan on Monday with the multinational Cobra Gold 2023 exercise in Thailand and the bilateral Iron Fist 23 exercise in Japan. Read More

Australia's First Nuclear Submarine Could Be a Reality in Less Than 30 Years, Former PACOM Commander Testifies

Australia’s First Nuclear Submarine Could Be a Reality in Less Than 30 Years, Former PACOM Commander Testifies

Able Seaman Combat Systems Operator Benjamin Stewart participates in an Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine during Exercise ARC21 in 2021. Royal Australian Navy Photo

Developing a nuclear-powered submarine with Australia could happen in less than 30 years if “we put our shoulders to the task” and commit to a tight timetable, retired Adm. Harry Harris told lawmakers Tuesday. Read More

U.S., South Korea Pledge to Expand Military Cooperation; NATO and Japan Deepen Ties

U.S., South Korea Pledge to Expand Military Cooperation; NATO and Japan Deepen Ties

South Korea’s 28th Infantry Division, Artillery Brigade, U.S 2nd Infantry Division, 2nd Striking Brigade,2-17th Artillery Battalion combined live-fire Exercise were held at Kkotbong Shooting Range in Gyeonggi Province. Jan. 23, 2023. ROK Photo

The U.S. and South Korea will step up joint field exercises and bolster joint capabilities to deter and respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, the defense chiefs of both countries said on Tuesday.

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Japan Issues Military Equipment Wishlist That Includes Hypersonic Weapons, Unmanned Systems

Japan Issues Military Equipment Wishlist That Includes Hypersonic Weapons, Unmanned Systems

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of Japan Flight Test Mission-07 (JFTM-07), held off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii, on Nov. 18, 2022. MDA Photo

Japan’s Ministry of Defense this week issued a document detailing new military equipment it’s developing, with rationales and status updates for programs ranging from hypersonic weapons to unmanned underwater vehicles. Read More