Budget news from Japan
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Japan’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) published its Defence Programmes and Budget overview of Fiscal Year 2023. It is the first overview where the budget is allocated based on fifteen new categories, instead of only two. Not all are that interesting for the aviation minded, below we have tried to sort out these categories.
Stand-off Defense Capabilities
Mainly about the research, development, production and upgrade of all sorts of missiles and projectiles. Budget for the upgrade of the F-35A, F-15 and F-2 to be able to launch these weapons. Budget for research on reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Integrated Air and Missile Defense Capabilities
Concerning the early detection and interception of ballistic missiles and Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV). Strengthening the Sensor Networks by the bulk-procurement of another five E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW aircraft.
Unmanned Defense Capabilities
Budget for the research, procurement and upgrade of Reconnaisance and Attack Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Cross-domain Operation Capabilities
Reinforcing capabilities in the domain of Electromagnetic Spectrum. Development of a Stand-off Electronic Warfare Aircraft, probably by using and modifying a basic Kawasaki C-2 airframe.
Capabilities in the Ground, Maritime and Air Domains
Procurement of three Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. Procurement of six SH-60L (not the official name yet) helicopters. Improve capabilities of UP-3D aircraft and service life extension (SLEP) measures for P-3 and EP-3 Orion. Procurement of eight F-35A and eight F-35B aircraft. Upgrade of eighteen F-15 and nine F-2 aircraft. Bulk-procurement of twelve UH-60J-II helicopters.
Mobile Deployment Capabilities
Procurement of two Kawasaki C-2 transport aircraft, thirteen Fuji UH-2 utility helicopters and two MCH-101 transport (mine-sweeping) helicopters.
Summary FY23 aircraft procurement:
Photos by Otger van der Kooij and Hans Jacobs (both Scramble Archive)