Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Thread
- Thread starter gf0012-aust
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Japan is very close to nuclear capability. Absurdly so.. They still have 50 t of plutonim. They already make solid fuel rocket ICBMs..
Japan would want to do it to show technical capability. They don't want to be reliant on anyone. I imagine every time they build a new sub generation, they draft up what a nuclear SSN would look like, cost it through, identify duel use techs, etc. They would be benchmarking them as much as they can and the best way to do that is to basically do design work.
Both have significant nuclear and submarine experience. They could certainly do it. But the SSN may look different, I wouldn't be surprised if they favour low speed performance, completely silent reactors, etc. I don't think they want an AUKUS or French style sub anyway. They don't have to travel far to find targets.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
Those white tubings are probably for the cooling system of the huge AEGIS SPY-7 panels. They will definitely generate a lot of heat.
Satellite launchers - but they could be used as a base for ICBMs.
Yes, very convenient Sat launchers. Very dual use though. They would still need re-entry vechicles etc, but the basic tech hardware is very accessible to them. They aren't miles off, everyone knows it. NK annoying JP with nuclear weapons is stupid because it will just justify JP to get them, China knows this.
I've been thinking about this ship a lot.
I wonder if it will debuted with a production version of the 40mm rail gun Japan test fired and showed mock ups instead of 30mm millennium gun type mounts shown in models.
The rear superstructure is completely separate, cooling, power etc would be ideally placed for these two guns. This would then allow the second ship to be built with perhaps the main gun replaced with a rail gun. These ships don't really need a 127mm gun. The whole ship is built around huge power and cooling capabilities, these guns would be excellent test beds for the rest of the fleet, what future designs would need, the power and cooling is already there which is the really tricky part.
This ship could launch sat/BM interceptors from its main gun, and the side mounts could be very effective cruise/drone guns. And there is two of them.. And the ship has RIM (could be laser in future) and plenty of VLS for ESSM etc, and likely escorted where ever it goes. Even if these are just experimental fitouts and they go conventional eventually.
SolarisKenzo
Well-Known Member
To have some commercial rockets and plutonium doesnt mean you are close to have a nuclear weapon.
Also, let's be honest, nuclear devices today are not exactly star trek science.
More or less every advanced country has the resources to design one (being it nuclear or thermonuclear or whatever).
France has around half of the world plutonium reprocessing capacity, but what does it mean?
Japan has plutonium because it reprocesses NPPs uranium oxide into mixed-oxide fuel.
The political will is the real problem. Almost everyone, with political will, can have nuclear weapons.
North Korea managed to do it, not exactly the most advanced nation on the planet.
All these discussions about "Japan is very close to" or "Country X has a stockpile of plutonium" or "they have commercial rocket tech" are quite pointless.
Very interesting discussions for defense nerds, but pretty much pointless.
Also, let's be honest, nuclear devices today are not exactly star trek science.
More or less every advanced country has the resources to design one (being it nuclear or thermonuclear or whatever).
France has around half of the world plutonium reprocessing capacity, but what does it mean?
Japan has plutonium because it reprocesses NPPs uranium oxide into mixed-oxide fuel.
The political will is the real problem. Almost everyone, with political will, can have nuclear weapons.
North Korea managed to do it, not exactly the most advanced nation on the planet.
All these discussions about "Japan is very close to" or "Country X has a stockpile of plutonium" or "they have commercial rocket tech" are quite pointless.
Very interesting discussions for defense nerds, but pretty much pointless.
Its not just commercial rocket tech. Its very specifically a solid rocket, with the dimensions of a US ICBM (its first stage). Its a 75t solid rocket.
France is a nuclear weapon state.
Japan has 44t of plutonium. The most of any non nuclear weapon state. As much as all non nuclear states globally combined. So its not it also has it. It has lots of it.
But this is a navy thread. Japan is looking at SSNs.. They have the nuclear technology to go that alone.
I am pretty sure they are going to mount rail guns on the side, those are ready to go, and the second ship will likely be built with its main gun also a rail gun. This will be refitted onto the first ship.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
China and India already have nuclear submarines, Brazil will get one soon, and South-Korea recently started the Chang Bogo N Project. So there is actually no reason for Japan to not start an SSN program.
Rear section is now on.. They are really moving on this project for a first of class.
Single Hangar door. Seems different from the model.
Japan's ASEV Super Destroyer: Fresh Details Unveiled - Naval News
The mock-up of the Japan's future AEGIS System Equipped Vessel (ASEV), a large destroyer was showcased at IDEX 2025.
www.navalnews.com
The only started laying the keel in march this year.
Japan lays keel of both ASEV Missile Defense Ships - Naval News
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that both Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) for the JMSDF have already been laid down
www.navalnews.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
A single hangar on the port side of the backside of the hangar. Does this mean, the JMSDF only plans to operate a single helikopter and some UAVs, or still two helicopters but using a single door?View attachment 55752
View attachment 55753
Rear section is now on.. They are really moving on this project for a first of class.
Single Hangar door. Seems different from the model.
View attachment 55754
Japan's ASEV Super Destroyer: Fresh Details Unveiled - Naval News
The mock-up of the Japan's future AEGIS System Equipped Vessel (ASEV), a large destroyer was showcased at IDEX 2025.
The only started laying the keel in march this year.
Japan lays keel of both ASEV Missile Defense Ships - Naval News
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that both Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) for the JMSDF have already been laid down
This ship is very curious. Not really clear. Images and models have helicopter, so presumably one, but it isn't operating far from the Japanese Coast, so they will be well supported by surface and undersurface platforms and airpower above.
Single door seems common on many newer ships. Even with large flexible hangars that can use two helos.
The whole concept is a bit odd as described.
If the plan was just to park it off the coast as a BMD shield, why build what is effectively an Aegis cruiser?
Something much slower and cheaper with a much fuller hull form along the lines of an LPD would have had the space and stability to carry the radar and sufficient VLS.
If the plan was just to park it off the coast as a BMD shield, why build what is effectively an Aegis cruiser?
Something much slower and cheaper with a much fuller hull form along the lines of an LPD would have had the space and stability to carry the radar and sufficient VLS.
Its not really based on a aegis hull, look at the bow. its very, tanker/LPD ish, not a high speed form. Its certainly strange.. the 5" gun is, interesting, but then there are theories about that being a rail gun in the future too.
They looked at different models, but eventually decided it needed to be surface ship enough. So it looks, like a surface combatant even though it isn't.
In my opinion, it is easier for them to take an existing hull design (e.g Maya-class) and scaling it up for the SPY-7 (V1) than develop a new design. Lower risks, possibly more cost effective.
And since they are taking this route, making it into a proper cruiser (an effective Maya class follow-on, or what DDG (X) was going to be) offers them plenty of flexibility in planning, and operational capability.
Ironically, the high superstructure reminds me of the pagoda style designs of IJN's battleships like Fuso/Ise/Nagatos.
ASEV - Reddit
Its much rounder at the bow. Broader and more gentle tapering.
Less high speed cutting and more ride over. The super structure in comparison is hugely different.
So at casual glance it looks very much like one of their large Aegis ships, and has a similar silhouette, but when you get up closer its hugely different.
Its much rounder at the bow. Broader and more gentle tapering.
Less high speed cutting and more ride over. The super structure in comparison is hugely different.
So at casual glance it looks very much like one of their large Aegis ships, and has a similar silhouette, but when you get up closer its hugely different.
It is rounder at the forecastle above the bow; the bow itself looks similar to the Maya-class. I would argue the general arrangement of the funnels means the powerplant have a similar arrangement.
That aside, this debate is speculative since we don't have any hard data or official statements to indicate otherwise.
ASEV model
Maya class
That aside, this debate is speculative since we don't have any hard data or official statements to indicate otherwise.
ASEV model
Maya class