Japan’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) is aggressively looking at accelerating the government’s efforts to expand defence-related exports.
“We have to capture the opportunities arising out of the global developments, and promote overseas transfer of defence equipment and technology,” Kasugahara Daiki, assistant commissioner of ATLA told Jay Menon on the sidelines of the show.
ATLA is showcasing equipment in line with the seven necessary pillars of Japan’s defence strategy: stand-off defence capabilities, integrated air and missile defence capabilities, unmanned defence capabilities, cross-domain capabilities, command and control / intelligence-related functions, mobile deployment capabilities / civil protection, and sustainability and resiliency.
“Under the stand-off defence capabilities, Japan’s effort to develop a hypersonic system is at its initial research stage,” Daiki said, adding, “We envisage an early realisation of the system, and make it operational within the next 10 years.”
Various research and tests, including combustion flight tests, are being carried out, aimed at developing scramjet engine technologies for the system,” Daiki said.
One of the planned military applications of this technology is the development of a hypersonic cruise missile, and high-speed glide bombs for island defence.
“We also want to develop high-speed glide bombs, with long ranges and make them capable of traveling at supersonic speeds and high altitudes from various points in the country to deal with threats,” he said.
Daiki also explained that by FY2027, Japan will reinforce its capability to enable operation of stand-off missiles including surface-launched and ship-launched models.
“We will develop upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missiles with the assumption that they will be operated from various platforms, to strengthen stand-off defence capability. We want the system to have longer range, and utilise them not only from ground, but also from air and sea,” he added.
Off-Shore Patrol Vessels
The next generation off-shore patrol vessels (OPV) that will be operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will be launched in the next two to three years, Daiki informed.
The OPV, being built by primary contractor Japan Marine United (JMU), will have advanced stealth technology and ballistic missile management system, he added.
In July 2021 ATLA had announced a project for a new fleet of 12 OPVs.
Shipboard Unicorn
Several countries in the region are showing keen interest in the shipboard Unicorn, the unified complex radio antenna, Daiki said.
Unicorn is the Nora-50 integration mast, which has a bar-shaped dome that houses the antennas for tactical data link, tactical air navigation system (Tacan), and communications. It downsizes the antennae on the top of the mast.The shape is designed to reduce the radar cross section, which gives it stealth capability.
“Last year, the brand new 3900-ton type frigate was launched for the JMSDF with the integrated mast Unicorn, which helps the vessel in achieving advanced stealth capability. A total of four ships of the Mogami-class are currently integrated with this system,” he added.
The system can also be integrated to the future OPVs.
Underwater Unmanned Vehicle
To establish a multilayered surveillance posture, to secure underwater and maritime superiority, and to reduce loss of human resources, the MSDF has introduced various unmanned assets, such as UAVs, USVs including the use of existing manned vessels, and UUV, as well as newly establishing unmanned asset units.
“For the first time, our autonomous underwater vehicle of mine countermeasures Beluga OZZ-5 will soon be integrated with the new 30FFM frigate for anti-mine warfare. The system, which is developed jointly with France, can detect all targets, including bottom mines, buried mines and stealth bottomed mines,” Daily said.
Ground-based radar system
The export demand for the long-range fixed type air surveillance radar has gone up following the first international order from the Philippines for the FPS-3 ME and TPS-P14ME medium-range mobile-type air surveillance radars.
“We want more countries to buy this system. The Philippines have shown interest in acquiring more units,” he said.
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