DefenceTalkJapan is planning to launch a military space force by 2019 that would initially be tasked with protecting satellites from dangerous debris orbiting the Earth, a report said. The move is aimed at strengthening Japan-US cooperation in space, and comes after the countries pledged to boost joint work on monitoring space debris, Kyodo news agency […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-to-launch-military-space-force-report-60326/

DefenceTalkJapan said Friday it would give Vietnam six vessels to boost the communist country’s capacity to patrol its territorial waters, amid a bitter maritime dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. The deal for the six used vessels, worth 500 million yen ($5 million), was announced in Hanoi during a two-day visit by Japanese […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-gives-vietnam-six-ships-to-boost-maritime-patrols-60320/

DefenceTalkThe United States, India and Japan are set to kick off week-long war games in the Pacific, beefing up naval ties as they warily eye an increasingly assertive China and its military buildup. Warships from the three countries are to begin the joint exercises on Friday, after an official opening ceremony at the Sasebo Naval […]https://www.defencetalk.com/naval-ships-from-us-india-and-japan-to-start-war-games-60263/

DefenceTalkJapan and Britain are to jointly develop missile technology for fighter jets, while Tokyo may also start exporting Japanese-made parts for US surface-to-air missiles, a report said Thursday. The plan — which comes months after Japan lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports — was likely to be approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-britain-to-launch-joint-missile-research-report-60189/

DefenceTalkJapan is set to approve its first arms export following relaxation of its self-imposed ban, as the nation aims to boost its global military and economic presence, a report said Sunday. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to export a high-performance sensor to the United States, which will use it in the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) missile […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-set-for-first-arms-export-under-new-rules-report-60053/

DefenceTalkThe Burke Chair at CSIS has developed a new analysis of the trends in Chinese military strategy and forces entitled Chinese Military Modernization and Force Development: Chinese and Outside Perspectives. This report provides a comprehensive update of previous Burke Chair studies. The goal behind this report is not to present the authors’ view of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinese-military-modernization-and-force-development-chinese-and-outside-perspectives-60028/

DefenceTalkDefense officials today welcomed an announcement by the Japanese government that it would seek a change to the policy regarding the country’s collective self-defense. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement that the change will enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces to engage in a wider range of operations and that it will strengthen the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defense-officials-hail-japanese-decision-on-self-defense-law-60013/

DefenceTalkJapan on Tuesday loosened the bonds on its powerful military, proclaiming the right to go into battle in defence of allies, in a highly controversial shift in the nation’s pacifist stance. After months of political horsetrading and browbeating of opponents, conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his cabinet had formally endorsed a reinterpretation of rules […]https://www.defencetalk.com/historic-shift-as-japan-expands-scope-of-military-59998/

DefenceTalkThe RQ-4 Global Hawk made its first operational flight out of Misawa Air Base on June 6. The flight marked two milestones: the first time an RQ-4 mission has flown out of Japan, and the first operational mission flown out of a jointly-used civilian and military airfield. According to detachment officials, combining and coordinating civilian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/misawa-launches-first-global-hawk-59878/

DefenceTalkA huge submarine deal is on the table this week when Japan and Australia meet to shore up their military relationship, as the security architecture of the Asia-Pacific shifts to meet the challenge of a rising China. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera will play hosts in Tokyo on Wednesday to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-australia-eye-submarine-deal-and-closer-military-ties-59822/