THE JAPAN DEFENCE Agency (JDA) is requesting '365 billion ($375 million) in the fiscal-year 1996 defence budget to purchase 65 military aircraft and helicopters - 20 fewer than it had originally planned.
Its final budget submission totals '4.86 trillion, an increase of 2.9% over 1995. The request contains '1.80 trillion for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), '1.13 trillion for the Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and '1.12 trillion for the Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).
The JDA's projected spending on new aircraft in 1996 represents a considerable increase on the '219 billion provided for this year.
The rise is accounted for by the '148 billion sought for, the start of Mitsubishi FS-X production.
Provisional JASDF plans had called for 42 new aircraft, but this has now been cut to 31. Its principal requests for 12 FS-X support fighters and five two-seat McDonnell Douglas/Mitsubishi F-15DJs remain untouched (Flight International, 9-15 August).
Planned procurement of the Kawasaki T-4 jet trainer has been reduced from 15 to nine aircraft. The JASDF's other projected acquisitions now consist of three Raytheon U-125As, one Gulfstream U-4 and one Sikorsky/Mitsubishi UH-60J helicopter.
The JGSDF is asking for 19 new helicopters, down from 26 originally requested. Included are four UH-60JAs, ten Bell/Fuji UH-1Js, one Bell/Fuji AH-1S, two Boeing CH-47JAs and two McDonnell Douglas/Kawasaki OH-6Ds.
The JMSDF's requested purchases have been trimmed from 17 to 15 aircraft, consisting of eight SH-60Js and three UH-60J helicopters, one Lockheed/Kawasaki UP-3D electronic-warfare-training aircraft, a single ShinMaywa US-1A amphibian and two Fuji T-5 trainers
The JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) is seeking '166 billion in funding for 1996. New TRDI programmes include initial funding for a surface-to-air missile to replace the Hawk system, and development of an upgraded US-1A.
Source: Flight International