The Japanese finance ministry's draft budget plan for the financial year 2001 includes 43 out of the 47 aircraft buys requested by the Japan Defence Agency (JDA).
Most of the ¥240.3 billion ($2.1 billion) procurement budget has gone to the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF). The air force has been allocated ¥155.8 billion for 12 Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, 11 unspecified primary trainer aircraft - either the Fuji T-7 or the Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 as a replacement for ageing Fuji T-3s - one Boeing/ Kawasaki CH-47J transport helicopter and one Raytheon Hawker U-125A search and rescue aircraft.
The budget provides the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF)with three Mitsubishi-built Sikorsky SH-60J helicopters and one UH-60J rescue machine. The Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) will acquire two Kawasaki OH-1 scout machines, two UH-60JA utility helicopters, six Bell/Fuji UH-1Js, a CH-47JA transport and a Raytheon Super King Air/LR-2 liaison and reconnaissance aircraft.
The procurements are part of Japan's ¥4.955 trillion defence budget for the coming financial year. This is an increase of 0.4% on the current year, despite the fact that Japan's underperforming economy has led to an 2.7% cut in the national budget.
According to reports from Japan, the JDA has put in a request for an additional ¥8 million for studies into its planned buy of a tanker aircraft. Four tankers are to be bought as part of a recently-approved five-year defence plan.
The agency has also announced that it will buy two additional Sikorsky MH-53J Sea Stallion helicopters for minesweeping and transport duties.
Source: Flight International
