The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) conducted a bilateral Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) west of Japan’s Goto Islands on June 7, marking the first such drill between the two navies since 2017. The exercise involved the Kongo-class Aegis destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173) and an SH-60K helicopter on ...
The post Japan And South Korea Resume SAREX…
On May 18, 2026, the Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan’s leading national newspapers, reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are considering equipping unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with airborne early warning (AEW) radar systems. According to the report, this move is linked to the Japanese government’s plan to incorporate enhanced surveillance and monitoring capabilities on ...
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Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) held a delivery ceremony and a “self-defense ship flag raising ceremony” this week for the Natori (なとり). The event means the ship, the ninth Mogami-class FFM, was officially commissioned with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The event comes amid growing international interest in Mogami-derived designs, following Australia’s…
Japan’s US-2 advanced amphibious aircraft made its debut during Balikatan, the largest joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States. A ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) splashed down in South China Sea as part of a joint casualty evacuation drill for the Balikatan exercises last April 27, according ...
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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) implemented a major organizational reform at the end of March 2026. As part of this restructuring, it established the Patrol and Defense Group (哨戒防備群) and assigned some of its most modern surface combatants, including the Mogami-class frigates, to this formation. This newly established Patrol and Defense Group carries significant ...
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JMSDF releases first images of JS Izumo’s new rectangular flight deck as second-phase modifications progress, advancing its conversion into an F-35B “Lightning Carrier.” The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) released on Apr. 20, 2026, new photos of the JS Izumo helicopter carrier, the lead ship of her class, with a new rectangular deck. This is […]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) has appeared in public view with a dramatically redesigned bow, marking a key milestone in its conversion to operate F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets. The lead ship of the class was recently sighted alongside the quay at Japan Marine ...
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The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced that the JS Chōkai (DDG-176) has completed crew training and ship modification, enabling the employment of RGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. The Chōkai, a Kongō-class destroyer, has been present at the home port of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet Surface Navy in San Diego, California, since October ...
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Japan’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that both Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) planned for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have already been laid down, marking the start of full-scale construction of the two-ship missile defense program. The JMSDF plans to operate two ASEV ships as part of Japan’s ballistic missile defense (BMD) architecture. ...
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On March 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) formally disbanded its long-standing “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊) and established a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊), marking its most sweeping organizational overhaul since 1954. The reform also includes the creation of a new “Information Warfare/Operations Command” (情報作戦集団), reflecting a shift toward integrated, multi-domain operations.…
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in partnership with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), successfully conducted the first live target tracking exercise using the SPY-7 radar during Japan Flight Test Experiment Aegis Weapon System (JFTX)-01, which took place March 17 and 19 off the East Coast of the United States. MDA press release JFTX-01 is ...
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On March 12, 2026, Lockheed Martin announced the delivery of the second Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) shipset of AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar equipment to Japan. Lockheed Martin press release Lockheed Martin, successfully delivered the second Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) shipset of AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar equipment to the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD). The delivery was facilitated ...
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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is procuring compact patrol ships at a rapid pace to strengthen maritime surveillance around Japan amid growing regional security pressures, particularly China’s expanding maritime activities. On March 13, Japanese shipbuilder Japan Marine United (JMU) launched the third and fourth ships of a planned 12-ship fleet of new Sakura-class offshore ...
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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has commissioned the fifth of its Taigei-class diesel-electric attack submarines (SSK), which feature improved detection capability and reduced detectability compared with earlier submarines. Named JS Chogei (with pennant number SS 517), the new Taigei-class boat was inducted into the Submarine Division 2 of Submarine Flotilla 2, which is homeported…
On March 6, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned the fourth Hibiki-class auxiliary ocean surveillance ship, strengthening Japan’s ability to collect underwater acoustic intelligence in surrounding seas. Named JS Bingo「びんご」(with pennant number AOS 5204), the new vessel was inducted into the service’s 1st Ocean Surveillance Division at Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima Prefecture,…