UK Defence Forum

Tempest414 wrote:do Taiwan have a land based anti ship missile to deploy on there North coast to close the gap

Do not ask me its name but they do have a large Supersonic AShM.

Nice video of an endangered species.

Translation: "Who left the refrigerator door open⁈"

Alternative Translation: (F)ighter, (R)econnaissance, (I)nteligence, (D)ata (G)athering & (E)lectronic warfare!

Lord Jim wrote:Nice video of an endangered species.

Wow, as a kid who grew up in the 70s when F-14s and 15s and 16s were entering service, RAF and RN F-4s were so passe.

But actually they're cool as f**k.

RichardIC wrote: F-4s were so passe.

Turkey is another user; will we see an exit from service with a bang, in Libya?

https://dsca.mil/sites/default/files/ma ... _20-18.pdf

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2020 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of one hundred five (105) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23.11 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy sixty-three (63) F-35A Conventional TakeOff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft, forty-two (42) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, and one hundred ten (110) Pratt and Whitney F135 engines (includes 5 spares). Also included are Electronic Warfare Systems; Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence/Communications, Navigation and Identification; Autonomic Logistics Global Support System, Autonomic Logistics Information System; Flight Mission Trainer; Weapons Employment Capability, and other Subsystems, Features, and Capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; reprogramming center access and F-35 Performance Based Logistics; software development/integration; flight test instrumentation; aircraft ferry and tanker support; spare and repair parts; support equipment, tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated total cost is $23.11 billion.

SW1 wrote:he Government of Japan has requested to buy sixty-three (63) F-35A Conventional TakeOff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft, forty-two (42) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft,

Excellent news. I understand that the Helicopter Carriers will be converted to operate the B. And maybe one day we will see a few cross deck on the QEC.

That is a big shift in the composition of their requirement for the F-35.

Hiroshima 75th Anniversary:
6th August 1945 - 6th August 2020

Here Are The Naval Programs Mentioned In Japan’s Latest Defence White Paper

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) released last month its 2020 "Defense Of Japan" annual white paper. The document provides an overview of the security environment surrounding Japan, outlines Japan's security and defence policy and details the equipment and programs that will be funded

Procurement of three Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA)
Overhaul of seven P-3C MPA, one OP-3C image reconnaissance aircraft and one EP-3C SIGINT aircraft
Procurement of seven SH-60K maritime helicopters
Upgrade of two SH-60K for Search and Rescue capability
Overhaul of three SH-60K and two SH-60J
Construction of the fifth and sixth 30FFM frigates
Major refit of seven escort ships and order of long lead items for five more in 2021
Construction of a new type of submarine
Major refit of three submarine and order of long lead items for seven more in 2021
Procurement of the fourth Awaji-class MCM vessel
Commissioning of the first RQ-4 Global Hawk HALE UAV
Modification to the first Izumo-class vessel to make it compatible with F-35B STOVL aircraft
Procurement of UUVs for underwater defence
Modification to the ASM-3 anti-ship missile to increase its range
Development of a new amphibious vehicle

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... ite-paper/

30FFM: Japan’s Next Generation Frigate Taking Shape At Two Shipyards

Two Future Multi-Mission Frigates (FFM or 30FFM) are starting to take shape at two shipyards in Japan. Images and videos obtained by Naval News from local shipspotters show the integrated mast has been fitted. Both hulls should be ready for launch before the end of the year.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... shipyards/

Looks like the Izumo's will not be getting a Ski-Jump. Apparently they're instead going to 'square off' the Izumo Class flight deck at the bow like a US LHD...pity they're going to lose some of their looks as a result...although a Ski Jump may have done that anyway. Makes sense to a degree, the JMSDF will be looking to the USMC for a lot of the help to getting the F-35B operational on their ships.

I've done a quick Photoshop of a modified Izumo.

SKB wrote:I've done a quick Photoshop of a modified Izumo.

Definitely lost some of her charm...wonder where they'll stick the Phalanx? Oddly the ski jump may have provided a safer area for it.

Tamiya had made a 1/700 model of Izumo class with a ramp: https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/25413/index.htm


Another Photoshop I drew back on 26th June 2019 to simulate Izumo with a ramp....and twin islands!

I wonder if the USMCs experience with the planned joint FAA/USMC air groups aboard the UKJ's carriers may change the way they look a ski jumps and the alternative landing methods. Could that in turn affect the way Japan sees things.

Not sure. Izumo-class will remain to be a helicopter carrier, and F35B operation is just for temporal. They may change mind AFTER some initial operation has seen results. But, for now, primarily as a helicopter carrier, sky-jump has only a negative impact.

Sorry for Tamiya, JMSDF is only "squaring" the bow shape for now. It is clear that adding a ski-jump at the same moment modifying the bow will be the cheapest options. So, it means they are not strongly going on for ski-jump at a moment.

Note that JMSDF is generally "slow" in moving on. But, steady. Let's wait for another 3-4 years.

Think Japan should just bite the bullet cos 1945 was a long time ago and with the way things are in that area and just build 2 qe size aircraft carriers and leave the izumo class the way they are tbh,75yrs on it would help America no end in that region and and help counter the building in balance ,I know Japan Pacifists nation now but just because you build operate 2 carriers for defence want mean they going to suddenly turn into a aggressive expansionist nation ,the people wouldn't let that happen now

I can understand the decision especially if they are wishing to maximise helicopter landing spots and if they see f35b primarily in an air defence configuration. Maybe we will send a flight out East for exercise to integrate on the ship at some point.

Maybe some cross decking during a Far East deployment

https://www.c4isrnet.com/electronic-war ... abilities/

First RC-2 ELINT aircraft inducted into service, intention is to replace the 4 NAMC YS-11B currently operated by the JASDF although unsure if it will be a 1:1 replacement. Funding has also been sought for the development of a stand-off electronic warfare aircraft potentially based on the C-2 airframe

Its ID is 18-1202. The 2nd XC-2 air-frame, introduced in 2011/11. As C-2 had major problem on weight vs load (similar to A400, I guess), and saw some modification (getting heavier), re-using the early air-frame (which has less capability) for non-cargo deploying tasks is rather reasonable.

First Taigei-class SSK launched:

https://www.navaltoday.com/2020/10/15/j ... submarine/

Looks like Improved-Soryu to me?