Japan sets record US$52 billion military budget with stealth jets, long-range missiles
21 December, 2020
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government approved a ninth consecutive rise in military spending on Monday (Dec 21), funding the development of a sophisticated stealth fighter and longer-range anti-ship missile to counter China's growing military power.
The Ministry of Defense will receive a record 5.34 trillion yen (US$51.7 billion) for the entire year starting in April, up 1.1 % out of this year. With Suga's large majority in parliament, enactment of the budget is all but certain.
Suga is continuing the controversial military expansion pursued by his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, to provide Japan's forces new planes, missiles and aircraft carriers with greater range and potency against potential foes including neighbouring China.
China plans to improve its military spending 6.6 per cent this year, the tiniest upsurge in three decades.
Japan is buying longer-range missiles and considering arming and training its military to strike distant land targets in China, North Korea and other parts of Asia.
A planned jet fighter, the first in three decades, is expected to cost about US$40 billion and be ready in the 2030s. That project, which will be led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with help from Lockheed Martin, gets US$706 million in the new budget.
Japan will spend US$323 million to commence development of a long-range anti-ship missile to defend its southwestern Okinawan island chain.
Other big purchases include US$628 million for six Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters, including two short-takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) B variants that will operate off a converted helicopter carrier.
The military may also get US$912 million to build two compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors than conventional destroyers, easing pressure on a navy desperate for recruits in an ageing population.
Japan also wants two new warships to transport powerful new Aegis air and ballistic missile defence radars which may have much as 3 x the number of older models. The federal government hasn't yet estimated the cost of the program, which replaces a project cancelled in June to create two ground Aegis Ashore stations.
Source:
TAG(s):