Page 5 - ADT MARCH 2023 Latest Magazine | GBP

 COVER STORY

30 th TIME FOR

YEAR EDITOR’S NOTE

CREDIT Nihon ga yonde imasu (Japan is Calling!) SUN RISE

LINE Defence capabilities are the nation's ultimate guarantee of security and

they cannot be replaced by any other means. The attack by Russia on
Ukraine suggests, once again, that employing non-military means such
as diplomatic efforts will not prevent invasions.
Publisher
Vittorio Rossi Prudente Late last year, the Japanese government has increased its military
vittorio.prudente@gbp.com.sg spending and has published three new defence strategy documents, all
of which stating that the current capabilities governing the country's
Editor self-defense forces are insufficient.
Jay Menon
jay.menon@gbp.com.sg The Japanese defence industry is happy with the current budget
increase. But the industry capacity is just about 70 per cent to 80 per
Managing Editor
Arun Sivasankaran cent. So if the Japanese community is going to spend more money than
arun.sivasankaran@gbp.com.sg the capacity levels, that means industry will need to build additional
production lines and the cost is going to be reflected in the price. The
Technology Editor
Atul Chandra question is, how long will the government keep spending this much in
atul.chandra@gbp.com.sg defence, and does the government has enough time to cover all the
costs of building new production lines? All of these questions are
ASEAN Correspondent hanging upon the Japanese industry. Therefore, cost issue and cost
Yulian Ardiansyah
yulian.ardiansyah@gbp.com.sg sensitivity are going to be sensitive questions for the Japanese
government in the near future and the industry will seek an answer.
Contributors Japan joins the long list of behind only the United States and China.
Gordon Arthur For decades Article 9 has limited the Japanese defence industry’s
opportunities for growth. Limited to one customer, the JSDF, a ban on
Art Director international exports and the reliance on the US FMS programme have countries accelerating their The Japanese government cites the worsen-
Sudheesh Kularmunda
sudheesh.kularmunda@gbp.com.sg kept the defence industry small. increase of military spending ing security environment around the country,
including China’s assertiveness, North Korea’s
Web Director These restraints are fading and Japan has opened up and has become unpredictable military activities, and Russia’s
Elmer Valencia more competitive, more assertive and more willing to engage with the in the Indo-Pacific region
elmer.valencia@gbp.com.sg customers in the marketing and promotion of defence platforms. aggressiveness, as the fundamental reasons for
the military restructuring and rearmament steps.
- By Jay Menon
Director of Sales The right support and guidance will be necessary to ensure Japanese
Akshay Satyamurthy
akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg policymakers to have the right tools to capitalise on changing the “The increasing presence of foreign militar-
outlook and in making the industry open for business. ussia’s attack on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure has triggered ies around Japan, accompanied by the fast
Cover Image Credit a dramatic turn in Japan’s defence policy. Evolving threat development of new military technologies and
Lockheed Martin Companies from around the globe will be looking to do the same, R determination and changing regional power balances have
seeking relationships with the Japanese companies that produce capabilities, have highlighted Japan’s vulnera-
systems and technologies which offer synergies with their own offerings. forced Japan to reorganise its future military strategies, and initiate bilities and shown the need for modernisation if
That is where DSEI Japan plays a role. The expo will offer a fantastic a massive rearmament programme. Japan hopes to be able to defend itself in the
Advertising Contacts: opportunity to open up these channels of communication between the event of a conflict and not fall behind other mil-
marketing@gbp.com.sg Western and Japanese industry, between the Japanese companies and As a first step to identify the challenges before the country, Japan itaries,” Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, Visiting Fellow
released a new National Security Strategy (NSS), initiated a fresh
their potential export customers, and bridge the gaps between the JSDF
Europe & Americas and foreign requirements. National Defence Strategy, and a strong Defence Build-up pro- of the Asia Programme at the European Council
and all other countries: on Foreign Relations, noted. The aim is to pre-
Global Communications sas gramme. As part of the NSS, the government has decided to pare the JSDF to take primary responsibility for
Tel: +39 049 723548
Ingrid@global-communications.it Editor drastically increase the defence budget. Japan’s record defence dealing with any potential invasion of Japan.
Asian Defence Technology
allocation marks the next phase of a decades-long ‘’normalisation’’
Japan push to bring its military capabilities on par with those of its peers
Visionworks
Jerry.Suppan@gmail.com in response to growing regional threats. Tokyo is changing its weapon acquisition plans
India + South East Asia Global Business Press Pte.Ltd. to more capable, longer-range systems. The
Akshay Satyamurthy ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY In December last, the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister highest profile investments in the strategic
Mob: +919980080246
akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg 30 Cecil Street, Fumio Kishida, announced a massive increase in defence spending, documents are those for “counter-strike” or
#19-08 Prudential Tower, Singapore 049712 going from roughly 1.1 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027. “counter-attack” capabilities, referring to the
Tel: +65 6850 5269 | Fax: +65 6438 2436 Tokyo will spend roughly US$320 billion over five years, and the acquisition of long-range missiles capable of
Email: enquiry@gbp.com.sg | Web: www.gbp.com.sg defence budget will reach roughly US$80 billion-US$90 billion by hitting ships or ground-based missiles from
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY is a bi-monthly publication for diplomats and professionals in the defence, security and academic fields. 2027 -- placing Japan third in the world for defence spending, potentially 1,500–3,000 kilometers away.
Opinions expressed by the contributors in Asian Defence Technology do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or editor. © GBP
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