JAPAN sets out plans to buy amphibious assault ships

[Aepsilons]

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera has said that Tokyo is to consider the purchase of at least one amphibious assault ship.

"We are intending to acquire a transport ship capable of promptly sending out Self-Defense Force (SDF) units on missions to defend Japan's remote islands," Onodera told reporters after inspecting the Wasp-class assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) at the US Navy's San Diego base on 7 July.

"It's a multifunctional transport ship capable of providing assistance in a timely manner when a major disaster breaks out," he said.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) already operates three Osumi-class tank landing ships (LST), JS Osumi , JS Shimokita and JS Kunisaki , which all have a well deck embarking two Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft and a parking deck that can embark land vehicles.

Access is via lifts to the main deck or a ramp on the starboard side. The main deck is split between space for more land vehicles and a large helicopter landing pad aft the superstructure.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence confirmed to IHS Jane's in January that the Osumi class will be upgraded to allow them to embark BAE Systems AAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicles and Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, both of which Japan intends to buy from the United States.

Asked about the difference with the existing Japanese ships, Onodera pointed to the fact that the Wasp class can carry many more LCACs below deck, and that the upper deck can carry many aircraft including MV-22s. He also said the ship is also fully compatible with operations using AAV7s.

COMMENT
Onodera's comments are in line with the Mid-Term Defense Programme (FY2014-18), which was adopted in December 2013 and stated that "the SDF will consider what the role should be of a multipurpose vessel with capabilities for command and control, large-scale transportation, and aircraft operations, which can be utilised in various operations such as amphibious operations, and reach a conclusion regarding its acquisition" by FY2018.

The Osumi-class upgrade can be seen as one element of this but the move to purchase a new platform is a longer term aim. Osumi was Japan's first flattop in the post-war period and so had its capabilities limited by defence planners to avoid any suggestion that it could have an offensive amphibious role.

This sensitivity has been trumped by the perceived threat from China to Japan's offshore islands, which has dominated MoD strategic planning discussions in recent years due to the escalation of the Senkaku/Diaoyu island dispute in the East China Sea.

In addition to platform procurements and upgrades, Japan is also setting up a marine corps-style force from Western Army troops based in Nagasaki, and has undertaken an increasing number of amphibious drills with the US Marine Corps and other countries.

Nonetheless, in San Diego Onodera was keen to stress the disaster relief capabilities of Makin Island and another Wasp-class ship USS Essex , which he said "played a crucial role" in the response to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

He also failed to mention one key element of the Wasp class' capabilities: that it embarks fighter aircraft in the form of BAe-McDonnell Douglas AV8B Harrier IIs, which are to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.



Onodera sets out plans to buy amphibious assault ships - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Aepsilons]

Wasp class aircraft
The Wasp Class carries a mix of assault helicopters, plus six to eight Harriers for close air support. A typical mix of helicopters is: 12 CH-46 Sea Knight, four CH-53E Sea Stallion; three UH-1N Huey and four AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters. USS Boxer (LHD 4) became the first ship to deploy the new four-bladed UH-1Y helicopter in October 2008. The vessels will also be able to embark the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

The ship's air traffic control system supports simultaneous Harrier and helicopter operations on the ship's 819ft by 112ft flight deck.

The ship has two deck edge aircraft elevators, each with a lifting capacity of 75,000lbs. The elevators fold for transit through the Panama Canal, and are the largest folding elevators in the Navy.

The F-35B are set to augment Wasp Ships.

Wasp Class weapons
The ship is armed with two semi-active radar-guided Nato Sea Sparrow missile systems (NSSMS) for anti-air warfare protection, two rolling airframe missile (RAM) systems and two Phalanx close-in weapon-system (CIWS) mounts to counter threats from low-flying aircraft and close-in small craft.

Six super-rapid blooming offboard chaff (SRBOC) decoy system launchers augment LHD 6's anti-ship missile defences. Three 25mm machine guns and four 12.7mm machine guns are also fitted.

Sensors
The Wasp is equipped with the following radars: Northrop Grumman Norden AN/SPS-67 G band primary navigation radar; ITT Gilfillan AN/SPS-48E E/F band 3D air search radar; Raytheon (Hughes) mk23 target acquisition system (TAS) for sea-skimming missiles, which can simultaneously track up to 54 targets; Northrop Grumman Norden AN/SPN-43 air search radar; Raytheon AN/SPS-49(V)9 C/D band secondary air search radar; and ITT Gilfillan AN/SPN-35A/B air traffic control radar.

Northrop Grumman AN/UPX-24 interrogator friend or foe (IFF) is also fitted.

Command system
The ship's C4I systems support amphibious operations and secondary mission roles.

Large screen displays and automated C4I systems are located in the combat information centre (CIC), the landing force operations centre (LFOC) and flag plot to monitor and support tactical operations.

A Sperry Marine integrated bridge system (IBS), which provides computerised integrated navigation, steering and control, is to be fitted to Iwo Jima and may be retrofitted to previous vessels of the class.

Wasp Class amphibious assault capability
The ship's assault support system synchronises the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship, for insertion of forces ashore via helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles.

Six 12,000lb-capacity cargo elevators transport material from cargo holds to staging areas for loading. Cargo to be loaded aboard landing craft within the well deck is moved via a monorail system. This system consists of 2,900ft of track in a six-track layout. The five 32ft monorail trains each have a capacity of 6,000lb and a speed of up to 600ft a minute (6.8mph).

The vehicle storage area typically accommodates five M-1 tanks, 25 light armoured vehicles, eight M-198 guns, 68 military trucks (HMMVVVs), ten logistics vehicles, 12 5t trucks, two water trailers, a fuel service truck, four rough terrain forklifts and two generator trailers. These vehicles can be loaded aboard landing craft, and the majority can be rigged for transportation to the beach by helicopter.

Off the beach, landing craft are launched and recovered through the very large stern gate, which opens the well deck to the sea. This well deck is 267ft long, 50ft wide and is designed specifically for the fly-in / fly-out capabilities of the air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC).

The LHDs carry three LCACs. The LCAC is a high-speed landing craft capable of carrying a 60t to 75t payload. It can carry payloads, such as an M1A1 tank and 5t trucks, at a speed of more than 40kt (73.6km/h).

The air cushion allows the LCAC to reach more than 70% of the world's coastline. Conventional landing craft can land at only 15% of coasts.

To launch and recover conventional landing craft, the ship can ballast over 15,000t of seawater to allow these craft to float into and out of the well deck.

LHD Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ships - Naval Technology

 

[TheNoob]

Hey nihonjin.
Just a offtopic question here.
ON a scale of 0/10
How much does japanese people hate the chinese?

Militarily.

 

[Aepsilons]

Hey nihonjin.
Just a offtopic question here.
ON a scale of 0/10
How much does japanese people hate the chinese?

Militarily.

In a scale of 1 to 10, the Chinese military would be a 4 to 5 on such scale.

There are other threats that worry Japan.

 

[kalu_miah]

@Nihonjin1051 What do you think is the significance of BRICS move by China and Russia? Do you think US/Japan will be able to keep India on their side, in the "Asian Pivot"?

India is the founder leader of NAM movement, it knows how to stay neutral and try to get benefit from both sides, although it never quite works out very well. If India is neutral and not an ally, then instead of wasting time and attention on India, would it not be wiser for US/Japan alliance to build up and develop smaller nations in the region, who may turn out to be more reliable ally out of necessity?

 

[Nike]

It is only the beginning, Japanese true intention is to revive their Blue Water Navy capability that's why in near future Japan will embarking extensive modernization programme, included acquisition of Logistic Support capability, the only one is missing in Japanese Navy inventory today.

 

[+4vsgorillas-Apebane]

Ha

The Koreans are going to love this...

Get ready for Noryang point 2.0

 

[Contrarian]

@Nihonjin1051 What do you think is the significance of BRICS move by China and Russia? Do you think US/Japan will be able to keep India on their side, in the "Asian Pivot"?

India is the founder leader of NAM movement, it knows how to stay neutral and try to get benefit from both sides, although it never quite works out very well. If India is neutral and not an ally, then instead of wasting time and attention on India, would it not be wiser for US/Japan alliance to build up and develop smaller nations in the region, who may turn out to be more reliable ally out of necessity?

Incorrect assessment.
The primary reason why India is being sought after by US and Japan as an ally is because India has the size, market and military capacity and spending ability to do so.
Smaller states of South Asia even if supported by them and sympathetic to the American cause will not have the military and economic wherewithal to implement the American goal.

ergo, the only state with the capacity to implement American/Western goal in South Asia is solely India.

Though Japan is already quite committed to helping out Bangladesh.

 

[Aepsilons]

Ha

The Koreans are going to love this...

Get ready for Noryang point 2.0

South Korea shouldn't worry. Besides, we are conducting joint naval exercises with them this coming week , and contrary to what most people read in anti-Japanese news articles and blog spots, our military inter-operability is 'developing'.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan to conduct naval rescue drills this month

These Amphibious Assault Ships are nothing more than platforms to project our superior fire power onto enemy positions. These platforms will be used outside Japan's maritime domain , in the exercise of Japan's blue water naval capability. It may be used in assisting allied nations in the Persian Gulf, it may be used in the Somali periphery, it may be used in the South Pacific. What matters is that these will be indispensable components of Japan's global strategy.

The WASPs , partnered with our Izumo and Hyuga Class Carriers, Soryu-Class submarines, and plethora of AEGIS destroyers will be centerpieces of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.

It is only the beginning, Japanese true intention is to revive their Blue Water Navy capability that's why in near future Japan will embarking extensive modernization programme, included acquisition of Logistic Support capability, the only one is missing in Japanese Navy inventory today.

Yes. You are right. We currently have 2 Hyuga Class Carriers, 1 Izumo Class Carrier (with the 2nd one being constructed). With the plan of having 4 active light carriers (which will be augmented with F-35Bs and Ospreys, as planned).

The acquisition of 2-4 WASPs will be necessary as these will be assigned to the JMSDF North Fleet, JMSDF West Fleet, the JMSDF South Fleet and the JMSDF East Fleet, respectively.

There are also talks in Japan military forums and defense circles that we are on the beginning phases of a Super-Carrier Plan. Most probably, 3-4 will be built to augment our 4 Fleets.

 

[Aepsilons]

@Nihonjin1051 What do you think is the significance of BRICS move by China and Russia? Do you think US/Japan will be able to keep India on their side, in the "Asian Pivot"?

I think that it is only natural for China and Russia to collaborate through the BRICS praxis of development. Both of their economies and surrounding states will benefit in financial collaboration and political rapport. Honestly, it will be Russia and China that will be the major power players with other members of BRICS having secondary and tertiary importance.

Japan has a working relationship with India. The JMSDF South Fleet , one of the largest Fleets that make up the JMSDF , collaborates with the Indian Navy through maritime interdiction and convoy duties of International Shipping traversing the Indian Ocean and through the Persian Gulf. It may not be known by many parties, but Japan has a working and vibrant naval relationship with India. I believe that India has much to improve in her naval arm. For the better.

The United States, too, has a working relationship with India , albeit it would be described as pragmatic. I am sure our Indian colleagues here would agree.

India is a Non-Aligned State. And it makes strategic sense considering she is flanked by Bangladesh to the East, Pakistan to the West, and China to the North. It is pertinent, for India, to conduct political and military machinations in the framework of building national interoperability to maintain stability. India's has a very unique ability to cooperate with Russia, the United States, Japan, China. I do not believe India will change from this current strategic position any time soon.

India is the founder leader of NAM movement, it knows how to stay neutral and try to get benefit from both sides, although it never quite works out very well. If India is neutral and not an ally, then instead of wasting time and attention on India, would it not be wiser for US/Japan alliance to build up and develop smaller nations in the region, who may turn out to be more reliable ally out of necessity?

Japan has no intentions of alienating any of our friends in South Asia, whatsoever. From our partnerships with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, we have worked to build infrastructure and increase people to people interaction. This provides the foundation for greater business growth and felt by the domestic population, which is what matters. I do not see why there would be any barriers for Japan to develop military sales, partnerships for peace with any of these nations in South Asia. In fact, the growth and prosperity of all South Asian nations is part of our global strategy.

And in regards to Bangladesh, Japan has been a partner with Bangladesh since the very beginning.

http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/research/journals/apssr/pdf/200706/1_moni.pdf?origin=publication_detail

Military Transparency and Asian Security by Shinzo Abe

Dhaka-Tokyo ties reach a comprehensive partnership level: PM | POLITICS & POLICIES | Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of Bangladesh

Japan–Bangladesh Relations

 

[Viet]

I am impressed of your navy. our navy is just a shadow of yours.

 

[Aepsilons]

I am impressed of your navy. our navy is just a shadow of yours.

Thank you for your vote of confidence.

 

[Genesis]

South Korea shouldn't worry. Besides, we are conducting joint naval exercises with them this coming week , and contrary to what most people read in anti-Japanese news articles and blog spots, our military inter-operability is 'developing'.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan to conduct naval rescue drills this month

These Amphibious Assault Ships are nothing more than platforms to project our superior fire power onto enemy positions. These platforms will be used outside Japan's maritime domain , in the exercise of Japan's blue water naval capability. It may be used in assisting allied nations in the Persian Gulf, it may be used in the Somali periphery, it may be used in the South Pacific. What matters is that these will be indispensable components of Japan's global strategy.

The WASPs , partnered with our Izumo and Hyuga Class Carriers, Soryu-Class submarines, and plethora of AEGIS destroyers will be centerpieces of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.



Yes. You are right. We currently have 2 Hyuga Class Carriers, 1 Izumo Class Carrier (with the 2nd one being constructed). With the plan of having 4 active light carriers (which will be augmented with F-35Bs and Ospreys, as planned).

The acquisition of 2-4 WASPs will be necessary as these will be assigned to the JMSDF North Fleet, JMSDF West Fleet, the JMSDF South Fleet and the JMSDF East Fleet, respectively.

There are also talks in Japan military forums and defense circles that we are on the beginning phases of a Super-Carrier Plan. Most probably, 3-4 will be built to augment our 4 Fleets.

ah, I was hoping to avoid this, just a few battles and set the new world order, instead, if Japan goes through with this, than the arms race will truly begin.

Be prepared to spend 400-700 billion a year on the military, because we sure as hell will. Especially if the Chinese people demands it, and they will if Japan does these moves.

You can save the whether it is rational, of course it isn't, but people aren't rational, hence wars.


Japan is really not leaving the Chinese leadership a lot of options. If anything the cold war proved is that smaller economy can never defeat huge economies in a arms race. A fool's errand.

 

[JayMandan]

Japan doesn't really have to spend that much because they are only building up their navy for defense purposes hence the "self-defense force" on all their military agencies. The US can just fill up some holes in case war breaks out. The US doesn't have a choice really. Keep it up our tomodachi neighbor up north!

 

[F-22Raptor]

Great to hear!