Defence agency's wishlist also includes proposals for BMD and communications systems
The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) is proposing to acquire 24 helicopters, seven fighters, three trainers and two amphibians from local manufacturers next year as part of a ¥4.93 trillion ($45.1 billion) budget.
Submitted to the ministry of finance last week, the proposed budget represents a 1.2% spending increase over the current fiscal year. The ¥144 billion purchase of a ballistic missile defence system and the ¥248 billion acquisition of a new communications system are driving the spending hike.
If approved by the cabinet and parliament, helicopter procurement will increase from 19 in 2004 to 24 and all current aircraft programmes will continue to receive funding. Some programmes, including the Fuji-built Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter and Mitsubishi F-2 fighter, are believed to be in danger of cancellation over the next few years under a new five-year spending plan (Flight International, 17-23 August). The JDA says its entire mid-term defence programme, which runs from April 2004 through March 2010, will be submitted late this year.
For the year started 1 April 2004, the JDA seeks to acquire six Fuji-built Bell UH-1Js, two AH-64Ds, two Kawasaki OH-1s, one Mitsubishi-built Sikorsky UH-60JA and one Kawasaki-built Boeing CH-47JA for the army. This would retain current production rates for all army programmes except for the UH-1J. The JDA last year requested four UH-1Js, but only received approval for two.
For the navy, the JDA is requesting nine Mitsubishi-built Sikorsky SH-60K anti-submarine warfare helicopters, six of which were approved last year for delivery from 2005. The agency is also acquiring its first Kawasaki-built AgustaWestland EH101 this year, but has not requested one for 2005 because another agency should purchase at least one for the navy-operated Antarctic support mission. Two production ShinMaywa US-1A Kai search-and-rescue amphibians have also been requested for 2005, with these to follow two prototypes already in flight test and expected to enter service in 2007.
For the air force, the JDA hopes to acquire seven F-2s, three Fuji T-7 trainers, two UH-60Js and one CH-47JA, representing a two-aircraft increase in F-2 production and a sharp decline in T-7 production from 11 aircraft in the current year. It is also proposing to acquire another six Mitsubishi F-15J upgrades, the first two of which were acquired this year. The JDA has also requested a further ¥78.3 billion to manufacture prototype Kawasaki C-X transport and P-X maritime patrol aircraft in fiscal year 2005.
Imported equipment should include one Boeing 767 tanker, one missionised Raytheon Hawker 800 and four Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 2000 upgrades. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will benefit from the country's missile defence purchase, with Japan also planning to spend ¥45.6 billion to upgrade its current Patriot missile batteries.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
