Japan Air Self-Defence Force

[DDG38]

"From 26 – 29 August 2023, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed two F-35A Lightning IIs to RAAF Base Tindal, marking the first time it has deployed F-35As to another country. This activity allowed JASDF personnel to engage with counterparts from RAAF No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal. This activity is a significant milestone in the relationship between Australia and Japan, and is being accomplished under the Reciprocal Access Agreement. Australia is committed to a strong bilateral special strategic partnership with Japan, and contributing with our partners to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific." Image Source : ADF Image Library

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Easing export rules on the F-X fighter jet marks the latest revision in Japan’s materiel transfer rules since it revamped its security policy in December 2022. But major opposition groups still remain critical of the alteration, indicating that relaxing export rules on the fighter jet counters Japan’s pacifist position and raises alarm about the country transitioning into an arms merchant.

Those people are still stuck in the '40s and '50s. To become competitive on the export market, to support the Japanese economy with its increasing percentage of older people and to simply survive in this unstable world, Japan has to leave the pacifist and passive ideology.

Japan set to lift export restrictions on F-X fighter jet

Companies involved in the program have also expressed intentions to export the jets to other countries to defray development and production costs.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Those people are still stuck in the '40s and '50s. To become competitive on the export market, to support the Japanese economy with its increasing percentage of older people and to simply survive in this unstable world, Japan has to leave the pacifist and passive ideology.

Japan set to lift export restrictions on F-X fighter jet

Companies involved in the program have also expressed intentions to export the jets to other countries to defray development and production costs.

www.defensenews.com

More importantly, how do they expect Japan to be trusted in future defence collaborations?

"Yes, we'll develop a product with you, but we'll impose impossibly complex conditions on it that will make exports essentially impossible."

Fortunately the Japanese government has insisted on more sensible proposals that should allow exports.

 

[MARKMILES77]

Japan has requested, via FMS, the purchase of up to 9 KC-46 Tankers.
This would be a significant expansion of their KC-46 tanker fleet.
Currently I think they only have 2 in service with 4 on order.

Japan – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Japan has requested, via FMS, the purchase of up to 9 KC-46 Tankers.
This would be a significant expansion of their KC-46 tanker fleet.
Currently I think they only have 2 in service with 4 on order.

You're right. Even taking into account the possibility of replacing the KC-130s in service, that would still mark a significant expansion of the Japanese airforce's refuelling capabilities. A good decision from Tokyo, and one I hadn't been thinking about.

 

[John Fedup]

The choice is understandable from a political POV, supporting your most important defence partner. At present the KC-46 isn’t exactly a stellar performer compared to other he MRTT.

 

[StevoJH]

The choice is understandable from a political POV, supporting your most important defence partner. At present the KC-46 isn’t exactly a stellar performer compared to other he MRTT.

Probably not a political decision.

They already have the KC-46 in service and it makes more sense to stick with the platform they already have in service rather than supporting two small fleets.

Also, the A330-200 that the MRTT is based on is now out of production and has been since 2018. While Airbus have a variant of the A330neo under development, it’s not currently available.

 

[John Fedup]

Probably not a political decision.

They already have the KC-46 in service and it makes more sense to stick with the platform they already have in service rather than supporting two small fleets.

Also, the A330-200 that the MRTT is based on is now out of production and has been since 2018. While Airbus have a variant of the A330neo under development, it’s not currently available.

So which happens first, a fully functional A330neo/MRTT or a KC-46? The camera boom fix for the KC-46 is 2026 but Boeing’s track record isn’t great at the moment. A 25% wage increase wasn’t good enough to prevent a strike this week so future export customers are going to be paying way more than the USAF which has a fixed price contract (which is why Boeing has lost 7 billion so far on the KC-46).

 

[Ananda]

While Airbus have a variant of the A330neo under development, it’s not currently available.

Actually Airbus already begin to offer that. In last presentation with Indonesian MinDef, they already offer this variant to Indonesia as A330 MRTT Plus. It is base on A330-800 Neo. They are begin to market it as they also have problem with Airlines mostly want to buy A330-900 Neo while A330-800 Neo is significantly lagging behind in order then it's stablemate.

So basically it is already in their official production line up, it's just no takers yet. I suspect they are offering to Indonesia in order for Indonesian Government to take over Garuda Indonesia order of 4 A330-800. As from what I heard Garuda seems want to change that order to the much more popular A330-900 which already entering their fleet anyway.

Add:
Specs on A330 MRTT+

Airbus launches A330neo-based MRTT+ as demand booms

Airbus Defence & Space's next multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) customer will be the first to acquire the capability integrated with the A330-800 airframe, with deliveries expected from late this decade.

www.flightglobal.com

Airbus Sees MRTT+ In Customer Hands By 2030 | Aviation Week Network

Airbus expects to deliver the first of its A330neo-based aerial refueling tankers before the end of the decade through the MRTT+ upgrade.

aviationweek.com

So by end of this decade, not really far away for those who order Tankers now. If you already have A330-800 Neo on order or taking over existing order, perhaps it can be faster.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

So which happens first, a fully functional A330neo/MRTT or a KC-46? The camera boom fix for the KC-46 is 2026 but Boeing’s track record isn’t great at the moment. A 25% wage increase wasn’t good enough to prevent a strike this week so future export customers are going to be paying way more than the USAF which has a fixed price contract (which is why Boeing has lost 7 billion so far on the KC-46).

You're right. And it seems the strike will specially hit the KC-46 production.

Massive Boeing machinist strike hits KC-46 tanker production

Boeing's CFO said the strike will affect a facility working on the KC-46 and increase the program's cost pressures.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

So which happens first, a fully functional A330neo/MRTT or a KC-46? The camera boom fix for the KC-46 is 2026 but Boeing’s track record isn’t great at the moment. A 25% wage increase wasn’t good enough to prevent a strike this week so future export customers are going to be paying way more than the USAF which has a fixed price contract (which is why Boeing has lost 7 billion so far on the KC-46).

In the long-term it's probably still the smart move, having largely only one fleet of tankers to maintain and operate. Whether Japan should have ordered the KC-46 at all is a different question.