KOR
▲ Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi
The Japanese government, which is pushing to revise its three major security documents, has unveiled the core contents of the revisions for two of the documents related to enhancing counterstrike capabilities.
The three major security documents are Japan's National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program. The contents unveiled this time pertain to the revisions of the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.
The core policy unveiled by the Ministry of Defense yesterday (August 7) centers on securing the quantity and quality of long-range missiles and introducing long-range capable attack unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to enhance counterstrike capabilities, which target enemy missile launch bases.
Regarding counterstrike capabilities, it pointed out that "there is a concern that sufficient deterrence cannot be maintained in the future if quantity and quality are not secured," emphasizing the "diversification of launch platforms" for long-range missiles.
It also specified "enhancing the effectiveness of counterstrike capabilities, including the introduction of attack drones."
Regarding air defense capabilities, it emphasized the need to secure quantities of interceptor missiles and interception drones, stating that it will "substantially strengthen asymmetric defense capabilities to cope with the invasion of an adversary with numerical superiority."
In addition, the content includes plans to strengthen defense postures on the Pacific side and reinforce the defense industry base.
On the Pacific side, considering the successive advances of Chinese and Russian aircraft carriers and bombers, it pointed out that "surveillance capabilities are insufficient" and emphasized that "surveillance, intelligence gathering, and air defense capabilities will be strengthened."
Plans to increase the speed and accuracy of decision-making by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) were also included.
Regarding the domestic defense industry in Japan, it noted that "some companies have withdrawn from the business due to reputation risk," mentioning the GOCO (Government Owned, Contractor Operated) approach, where the government secures military factory facilities and entrusts their operation to the private sector.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the introduction of some defense equipment that Japan sought to acquire by fiscal year 2027 has been delayed.
According to a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the Defense Buildup Program achievement status for fiscal years 2023 to 2027, released by the Ministry of Defense on the same day, showed that the construction of destroyers and patrol vessels, as well as fighter jet upgrades, have been delayed among the originally planned contents.
This is estimated to have been influenced by the rise in unit prices of defense equipment compared to when the plan was established.
The 2023–2027 Defense Buildup Program, originally finalized in 2022, sets a goal to raise defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) within five years and specifies defense costs of around 43 trillion yen.
However, among the Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels, budgets have been allocated for only 4 out of 5 planned submarines, 8 out of 12 destroyers, and 6 out of 10 patrol vessels.
For F-15 fighter jets, although there was an initial plan to upgrade 54 aircraft, budgets have not been allocated since the cost for 18 aircraft was reflected in the fiscal year 2023 budget.
However, the procurement of U.S.-made fighter jets has proceeded as planned, securing 32 out of 40 planned F-35As and 21 out of 25 F-35Bs, achieving four-fifths of the five-year plan.
In addition, Nikkei pointed out that responses to parts shortages have been delayed, leaving unresolved situations where some equipment, mainly aircraft, cannot be operated due to a shortage of parts.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
Video News