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JAPANS AIR SELF DEFENCE FORCE

Despite the present crisis, Japan is still one of the world's biggest economic powers. But while the industries of this Far Eastern country set about conquering more and more new markets in recent decades, its politicians, and especially the military, hardly played any significant role on the international stage. There is good reason for this reserve: because of its aggressive campaigns of conquest during World War II, Japan's reputation is still tarnished in many parts of Asia.

Japan is exercising even more restraint than Germany. Article 9 of its Constitution limits Japans Armed Forces to the bare minimum necessary for self-defence. Offensive weapons, like long range bombers and aircraft carriers, are forbidden. Additionally the Japanese Government does not see fit to deploy armed forces abroad.

For the last twenty years there has been an unwritten rule that the defence budget does not exceed one per cent of the gross domestic product, (Great Britain for example still spends more than three per cent). The end of the Cold War and recent economic problems also serve to curb Japans expenditure on defence.

Japan's defence planning is based on a document from 1976, the "Boeikeikadu no Taiko", which was revised for the first time in November 1995. Consequently, the Armed Forces have been slightly reduced and they will have a stronger supporting role during natural disasters and in the fight against terrorism. Also it was declared for the first time that Japan has a duty to contribute to stability in Asia.

There are five-year plans for the Armed Forces, the so-called "Chuki Boei-ryoku Seibi Kaikabu". However, these plans are quite often altered. The government for example made a cut from 25.15 trillion Yen (322 billion DM) to 24.23 trillion Yen (310 billion DM) in the plan for 1996 to 2000. The defence budget for 1998 amounts to 4,920 trillion Yen (63 billion DM). The Air Force has 161,87 billion Yen of this at its disposal for the purchase of 25 new air craft.

The equipment of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) is top quality. At the forefront of the fighter fleet is the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15J Eagle. Since 1980 exactly 213 fighters of this type have been purchased. Apart from a dozen two seaters, all Eagles of the JASDF have been produced under license at Mitsubishi. Low production rates pushed the price of an individual aircraft up to 180 million DM.

Since there is no replacement in sight for the F-15J, the Air Force is planning a modernisation program, which will include improving the radar and the main computer. Additionally an improved ECM system and FLIR-Sensor will be fitted. The maiden flight of a prototype is planned for 2001.

The McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Phantoms have already been modified once. From the mid-80s APG-66J radar, new computers, digital INS and improved radar warning receivers were installed. On top of this the lifespan of the airframe was extended from 3,500 to 5,000 hours. The F-4J Kai are now also able to deploy ASM-1/2 anti-ship missiles.

The Phantoms and the Mitsubishi F-1 will be replaced by the F-2, a multi-role fighter, which was developed by Mitsubishi from the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Fundamental Japanese contributions to the technology are the wings, which are made from composite materials, and the radar with electronically scanning antenna and other avionics and display systems.

The program, which has caused controversy for a long time, was started in 1987, and four prototypes are in flight test at the Hiko Kaihatu Jikken-den, the test squadron, in Gifu. In 1999 deliveries to a regular unit (Dai 3 at Misawa) will start. The number of planes on order remains undecided. Current plans call for 130 aircraft at a price of 180 million DM per F-2.

With these aircraft and the Mitsubishi F-1 the JASDF operates ten interceptor fighter squadrons and three so-called support squadrons. They all belong to the air defence command (Koku Sotai). This is by far the biggest part of the Air Force. The Koku Sotai is split into four regions. The Hokubu Koku Homentai covers the Northern Island of Hokaido and the tip of Honshu, while the Chubu Koku Homentai is responsible for the central sector of Honshu with Tokyo and many other industrial cities. The Seibu Koku Homentai operates across the Southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. Since the 70s there has been a smaller division for Okinawa, the Nasei Koku Konsei-dan.

In each of these regions two aircraft are on five minute stand-by and three further groups of two are in reserve. The fighters are supported by 13 Northrop-Grumman E-2C Early Warning Aircraft, which are stationed in Misawa. Since March 1998 the first two Boeing E-767AWACS have been on trial. Four E-767 were ordered altogether, which means a significant jump in capability.

For tactical reconnaissance there is a squadron of RF-4EJ Phantoms. The latter do not have a "camera nose", but can be fitted, if required, with three pods. Amongst these is one for electronic reconnaissance. It is planned that 17 F-4EJ will be changed over to RFs.

As well as having the command over air defence, the JASDF has brought together many support functions in the Koku Sien Shudan during re-organisation in 1988. It is primarily responsible for search and rescue units. The later are distributed over a dozen bases in order to guarantee good cover of land and especially sea. After all Japan extends almost 3,000 km North to South. As well as aeroplanes every station is equipped with helicopters. Mitsubishi-Mu-2S-Turboprops and Boeing V-107 are still employed most of all. However, replacement by Raytheon U-125A and Sikorsky UH-60J has started already. Boeing CH-47J are used as well.

For transport purposes the JASDF has the C-1 with jet propulsion, which was developed by Kawasaki, and old YS-11 at its disposal. From the mid-80s a dozen Lockheed C-130J Hercules have been acquired as well. VIPs use the two Boeing 747-400s. There are also some YS-11 and U-125 for flight surveying tasks.

The training command (Koku Kyoiku Shudan) is responsible for training pilots. Currently the trainees start with 75 hours in the Fuji T-3, a derivative of the Beech T-34 Mentor. Subsequently these future fighter pilots change onto the T-4 and then the supersonic T-2. However, transport and helicopter crews are to receive further training by the Navy or the Army respectively, before they are allocated to their designated aircraft.

Last, but not least, the JASDF has a testing command at its disposal. It is stationed in Gifu and could be compared with the WTD 61 in Manching. The Hiko Kaihatsu Jikken-dan has at least one aircraft of all models that are currently in service. It is not only responsible for the testing and approval of all new models but also for trials with new equipment and weapons.

From page 54 of FLUG REVUE 9/98