JAPAN'S RENEWED interest in acquiring a vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft is focused primarily on an unarmed variant of the British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier T.10 for offshore navy support and training.
According to Japanese defence sources, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is pushing for funding in the next five-year defence plan to purchase three- to five tandem-seat T.10s (Flight International, 29 May-3 June).
The aircraft are needed to supplement the JMSDF's fleet of shore-based Learjet U-36 fleet-support aircraft. The navy is understood to be considering operating the T.10s from a 5,000t auxiliary aviation-support ship, now under construction.
A shipboard V/STOL capability would enable the JMSDF to exercise with fixed-wing aircraft further offshore, beyond the range of the existing U-36s, says a Japanese defence source. The navy has responsibility for the defence of Japanese maritime interests up to 1,850km (1,000nm) offshore.
The T.10s, if purchased, would be configured similarly to the U-36s for training. The aircraft are used to carry under-wing electronic-warfare and electronic support- measure pods, chaff dispensers and simulated missile-seekers.
Japan's Defense Agency (JDA) is expected to finalise its equipment-procurement requests by August, for submission to the finance and foreign affairs ministries for review. The JDA's five-year plan and budget for fiscal year 1996 will need then to be finally approved by the Cabinet.
Source: Flight International
