Japan Ground Self Defense Force

[Ananda]

Seems we don't have thread for Japan Army (JGSDF). So I'll start a thread on one of the World advance and well equipped army that still being called Self Defense Force.

Found this video on You Tube on the latest evolution of JGSDF that include their Network Centric battle organization, Urban and Anti Terror operation and their Humanitarian Rescue operation.

Nice equipment that they have developed domestically, and alltough it's developed for domestic need, but I still can see the attraction on export market. If only Japan can provide more attractive financing packages.

 

[Ananda]

Japan halts anti-missile Aegis Ashore as costs soar past $2bn

A symbol of stronger Tokyo-Washington ties falls by the wayside

mx.asia.nikkei.com

Report from Nikkei stating that Japan will pull back from Aegis Ashore project for land based BMD. Just wondering why the cost of Aegis Ashore/Land Based can be relatively more expensive than Aegis ship based.
After all it is the same system, and build in land supposedly will provide more saving than ship based.

 

[Ananda]

Japan's Aegis Ashore: A Tale of Two SPYs - Naval News

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced this week its intention to halt deployment of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system citing difficulties in ensuring that rocket boosters from the interceptors do not fall in populated areas. The real reason may actually have to do with the radar...

www.navalnews.com

Further article on Japan Aegis Ashore project, seems there's potential the project will be relook or being restructure on the scope and overall target of the project.
There's talk on changing the radar system from SPY 7 to back to SPY 6 which shown more commonality with Navy Aegis system.

Aegis Ashore not finished yet 06-19-2020 Japan Update

Meanwhile the US still optimistic that Japan will stay with Aegis Ashore project with some adjustments.

Both article in my opinion still shown how Japan still looking the best model for BMD onshore system.

 

[Terran]

Japan Self-Defense Force Accepts Delivery of First V-22 Osprey - USNI News

Japan accepted delivery of its first Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey on Friday, making it the first nation outside the U.S. to own and operate the tiltrotor aircraft. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) took delivery of the aircraft at Camp Kisarazu, across the Tokyo Bay from Yokosuka, according...

news.usni.org

It’s official, Japanese Ospreys for the JGSDF.
As it is the JGSDF it will be interesting to see how and what they aim for use. My assumption is this is for their fledgling Marine unit.
For the US one of the problems that V22 has had was that the USMC wanted to partner it with a Internally transportable vehicle.
However the size of the cargo hold door forced early on costom tailored vehicles for said role. The Japanese happen to have a vehicle off the shelf that seems all but tailored for the V22 the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 which although an the current generation is an inch a and three quarters to tall previous generations convertible models were the prefect hight and width to squeeze in. If mated to a trailer small units could easily use the pair for scouting, raiding or towing.

 

[ngatimozart]

Japan Self-Defense Force Accepts Delivery of First V-22 Osprey - USNI News

Japan accepted delivery of its first Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey on Friday, making it the first nation outside the U.S. to own and operate the tiltrotor aircraft. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) took delivery of the aircraft at Camp Kisarazu, across the Tokyo Bay from Yokosuka, according...

news.usni.org

It’s official, Japanese Ospreys for the JGSDF.
As it is the JGSDF it will be interesting to see how and what they aim for use. My assumption is this is for their fledgling Marine unit.
For the US one of the problems that V22 has had was that the USMC wanted to partner it with a Internally transportable vehicle.
However the size of the cargo hold door forced early on costom tailored vehicles for said role. The Japanese happen to have a vehicle off the shelf that seems all but tailored for the V22 the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 which although an the current generation is an inch a and three quarters to tall previous generations convertible models were the prefect hight and width to squeeze in. If mated to a trailer small units could easily use the pair for scouting, raiding or towing.

Trouble is the Osprey isn't exactly the quietest of platforms for sneaking up on the foe to ensure that they have a meeting with ancestors.

 

[Terran]

Trouble is the Osprey isn't exactly the quietest of platforms for sneaking up on the foe to ensure that they have a meeting with ancestors.

That’s true of just about any helicopters. It does however offer longer range faster speed than an equivalent chopper. The reason for the second part of my commentary also address that issue IE a internally transported vehicle to drive the final leg of the trip then haul arse out.

 

[ngatimozart]

That’s true of just about any helicopters. It does however offer longer range faster speed than an equivalent chopper. The reason for the second part of my commentary also address that issue IE a internally transported vehicle to drive the final leg of the trip then haul arse out.

Yep, but the Osprey is probably twice as noisy as the venerable UH-1H Iroquois, which could be heard miles away some days. Great fun flying in though.

 

[swerve]

How does it compare with a Chinook? One just flew over, rather low.

 

[Terran]

It depends. During vertical flight mode a Tiltrotor like a helicopter is producing more thrust to keep aloft. However unlike a helicopter in forwards flight Tiltrotor aircraft operate like fixed win aircraft. Using lift and lower thrust to get higher speeds. In vertical mode V22 has been compared to CH53. I believe the Japanese when planning to base used a CH47 as a stand in so some where around a tie when in vertical mode. When in horizontal however it’s a Hiss.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The second of 5 ordered is recently delivered.

JGSDF receives second MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has taken delivery of its second Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

www.janes.com

The cost of the contract for 5 MV-22B Block C is $332,5 million, that means the contract is not including training, spareparts and GSE (sustainment package), like the package offered to Indonesia?

 

[John Fedup]

With the cancellation of Aegis Ashore by Japan, this article suggests a less expensive option, passive defence, rather than spending tons of money on advanced missile interceptors. Decoy buildings, high-tech camouflage, and hardening of some critical infrastructure. Never heard about ultra performance concrete before. This together with some active land defence kit might be a reasonable solution for Japan (and perhaps a couple of extra Aegis destroyers).

Thinking Hard About Missile Defense

Last month, Prime Minister Abe ignited a trans-Pacific debate over how best to protect Japan from North Korean missile attack by canceling Aegis Ashore—the largest joint missile defense program

www.realcleardefense.com

 

[old faithful]

How does it compare with a Chinook? One just flew over, rather low.

It’s different, it’s not just the sound, there is a weird very low frequency thud thud thud that it generates, you can actually “feel” it. I was almost 1 km away from a few that were taxiing
At Darwin airport, and could “feel” the pressure from the blades, but only when they are tilted, when in the horizontal they weren’t anywhere near as loud.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The MoD plans to replace the JGSDF's ageing fleet of 127 UH-1Js with about 150 UH-2s over the next two decades.

Japan completes development of UH-2 multirole helicopter for JGSDF

The Japan Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on 24 June that development of the UH-2 multirole medium helicopter...

www.janes.com

According to Janes, the UH-2 (formerly known as UH-X) is based on the Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopter, because of that the twin-engined UH-2 features a four-bladed main rotor, unlike the single-engined UH-1J, which has a two-bladed main rotor.

Reading other sources its more like the UH-2 is just a new name for the 412EPX. So its quite confusing.

Eerste Subaru-Bell 412 EPX afgeleverd. • Piloot & Vliegtuig

Subaru en Bell hebben een eerste Bell 412 EPX afgeleverd bij Japanse nationale politie die er eentje bestelde.

www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl

Subaru and Bell Deliver First 412EPX | AIN

Japan’s national police has taken delivery of the first customer production Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopter.

www.ainonline.com

SUBARU BELL 412EPX｜SUBARU BELL 412EPX｜SUBARU Aerospace Company

Learn more about the latest variant of reputable 412 series, SUBARU BELL 412EPX.

aerospace.subaru.co.jp

 

[FormerDirtDart]

The MoD plans to replace the JGSDF's ageing fleet of 127 UH-1Js with about 150 UH-2s over the next two decades.

Japan completes development of UH-2 multirole helicopter for JGSDF

The Japan Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on 24 June that development of the UH-2 multirole medium helicopter...

www.janes.com

According to Janes, the UH-2 (formerly known as UH-X) is based on the Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopter, because of that the twin-engined UH-2 features a four-bladed main rotor, unlike the single-engined UH-1J, which has a two-bladed main rotor.

Reading other sources its more like the UH-2 is just a new name for the 412EPX. So its quite confusing.

Eerste Subaru-Bell 412 EPX afgeleverd. • Piloot & Vliegtuig

Subaru en Bell hebben een eerste Bell 412 EPX afgeleverd bij Japanse nationale politie die er eentje bestelde.

www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl

Subaru and Bell Deliver First 412EPX | AIN

Japan’s national police has taken delivery of the first customer production Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopter.

www.ainonline.com

SUBARU BELL 412EPX｜SUBARU BELL 412EPX｜SUBARU Aerospace Company

Learn more about the latest variant of reputable 412 series, SUBARU BELL 412EPX.

aerospace.subaru.co.jp

How I'm reading it, the UHX program was a development off of the 412EPI. And in conjunction with the UHX program the 412EPX was developed for commercial sales
So, it's kind of a 'chicken and the egg' thing. There would be no EPX without the UH-2, but the EPX was finalized first.

SUBARU AND BELL ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION ON COMMERCIAL 412 HELICOPTER UPGRADE

SUBARU AND BELL ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION ON COMMERCIAL 412 HELICOPTER UPGRADE THE SUBARU BELL 412EPX INTRODUCED AS PART OF JAPAN UH-X PROGRAM Farnborough, United Kingdom (16 July 2018) – At a ceremony held at Farnborough Air Show today, BELL HELICOPTER, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company and...

investor.textron.com

 

[FormerDirtDart]

The Japanese Ministry of Defense’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency release a video on the UH-2 a few days ago.
If you're looking for highly technical info, you've come to the wrong place.

 

[DDG38]

"Soldiers from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force disembark a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft in Bowen, Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021." Image Source - ADF Image Library

 

[Salinger]

Patria AMVXP 8x8 vehicle selected by Japan as a new Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (WAPC) for Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Patria AMVXP 8x8 vehicle selected by Japan as a new Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (WAPC) for Japan Ground Self-Defense Force | Patria

The Japan Ministry of Defense has announced today that Patria AMVXP 8x8 has been selected for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as their next Wheeled Arm

www.patriagroup.com

The Japan Ministry of Defense has announced today that Patria AMVXP 8x8 has been selected for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as their next Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier 8x8 vehicle under the WAPC programme. The selection includes manufacturing licence of the vehicles in Japan, with a solid contribution to the local economy and technology development securing the supply and service in Japan. The Patria AMVXP 8x8 vehicles will be replacing the Type-96 8x8 Armored Personnel Carrier vehicles which are currently in service by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

 

[swerve]

That's interesting. Apart from the AAV7 (specialised, very different from anything else in the inventory, bought in fairly small numbers), when was the last time Japan bought a foreign-designed AFV instead of designing & building its own?

 

[Terran]

You would probably have to go back to the JGSDF foundation era. When it used American equipment.

 

[StingrayOZ]

The Japanese bought some bushmasters, but not sure if they are still with the JSDF or they moved them to the police. They were going to be rescue vechicles. A total of 4. Buying overseas gear is pretty rare for them. I think it was more about building relationships with Australia and assessing the Bushmaster as a concept.

Japan buys Thales Bushmasters

The Japanese Ministry of Defence has ordered four Bushmaster vehicles for deployment with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF).

www.thalesgroup.com

So on occasion, very small, very specialized buys do happen. I am sure there are others. Lots of Japanese gear is designed off or inspired by other designs with heavy localization. I assume some licensing does occur, but doesn't have to be made public.