Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force

Mar- 2025 -

24 March

Following US and China, Japan Unifies Military Branches Under Single Command

Japan has set up a joint operational command for its Self-Defense Forces, emulating a significant step taken by both the US and China to enhance their preparedness for potential conflict.

13 March

Sea

JS Nōmi (MSO-307) Awaji-class minesweeping vessel. Photo: Japan Marine United Corporation

Rojoef Manuel

Japanese Navy Commissions Final Awaji Minesweeper

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has commissioned its fourth and final Awaji-class minesweeping vessel in Tsurumi-ki, Yokohama.

Feb- 2025 -

19 February

Sea

Rojoef Manuel

Mitsubishi Debuts Final Japanese Navy Hibiki Survey Ship

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has christened and launched the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s final Hibiki-class auxiliary ocean surveillance vessel in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture.

3 February

Arms

Christine Casimiro

Japan Buys 150 SM-6 Missiles for AEGIS-Equipped Vessels

Japan has requested up to 150 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles from the US in a foreign military sale worth $900 million.

Dec- 2024 -

30 December

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

A V-BAT in flight over the California coast. Photo by Shield AI.

Inder Singh Bisht

Japan to Buy V-BAT Surveillance Drones for Future Patrol Vessels

The Japanese cabinet has approved the purchase of six V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the defense budget proposal for fiscal 2025.

5 December

Air

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Christine Casimiro

Japan Selects SeaGuardian for Extended Surveillance Missions

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has chosen the SeaGuardian drone for its Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program.

Nov- 2024 -

4 November

Sea

The "Nihonbare," Japan Self-Defense Force - Maritime Transport Group’s first Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel. Photo: Japanese Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency

Rojoef Manuel

Naikai Zosen Launches Japan Maritime Transport Group’s First LCU Ship

Shipbuilder Naikai Zosen has launched the Japan Self-Defense Force - Maritime Transport Group’s first Landing Craft Utility vessel in Hiroshima.

Oct- 2024 -

23 October

Americas

An F-35B lands aboard JS Kaga (DDH-184) off the southern coast of California to begin developmental testing.

Giulia Bernacchi

US F-35B Lands on Japanese Destroyer for First Time

The US Navy has landed an F-35B on the Japanese destroyer JS Kaga for the first time, enhancing cooperation and defense interoperability.

Sep- 2024 -

25 September

Air

Christine Casimiro

Japan Orders New Batch of Fuji T-5 Training Aircraft From Subaru

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has awarded Subaru Corporation a 7.6-billion-yen ($53 million) contract to produce 30 new Fuji T-5 training aircraft, Janes reported.

24 September

Asia Pacific