Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Squadron 132
(VAQ-132), the "Scorpions" Red Flag 17-1: Jan. 23 to Feb. 10, 2017
Las Vegas - Nellis AFB (LSV / KLSV) USA - Nevada, February 7, 2017 Photo:
TDelCoro. wikimedia.org
January 1, 2018 2:12 am JST
Remote strike potential would draw nation closer to offensive
capability
TOKYO -- Japan looks to deploy electronic-warfare
aircraft that can neutralize enemy air defenses and command systems remotely,
blurring the line between strict self-defense and offensive base-strike
capability.
The country is exploring options including Boeing's
EA-18G fighter jet -- nicknamed the "Growler" -- which emits large
radio pulses to jam radar and communication systems. The EA-18G also carries
missiles to knock out radar facilities.
The Defense Ministry intends to write the aircraft into
its Mid-Term Defense Program when that plan is revised at the end of 2018,
acquiring several jets between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2023.
Electronic defenses have a range of several hundred
kilometers, according to the Defense Ministry's acquisition and technology
unit. If necessary, Japan could deploy the aircraft over international waters
off the coast of North Korea to disable missile bases and radar facilities.
The jets also would enhance the country's so-called
Anti-Access/Area Denial strategy, which aims to keep Chinese aircraft and
military vessels from encroaching on Japan's surroundings. China is deploying
its own electronic-warfare aircraft under the military's recently formed
Strategic Support Force.
Japan is stocking up on other equipment that
theoretically could be used in a strike on enemy facilities. The government
will buy air-to-surface joint strike missiles from Norway in fiscal 2018,
letting Japan attack targets around 500km away. The Defense Ministry also has
begun researching domestic production of cruise missiles.
The ministry may overhaul Japan's Izumo-class helicopter
carriers to function as aircraft carriers, altering the vessels' decks so that
fighter jets can take off and land. Some also have proposed purchasing F-35B
stealth fighters to work with the retrofitted ships. This cutting-edge aircraft
can take off from shorter runways than others in its class.
Japan denies these acquisitions are intended to give the
country offensive strike capability, holding to its policy of exclusive
self-defense. The new equipment is "ultimately meant to defend
Japan," a Defense Ministry official said.
The government maintains that it relies on the U.S. for
the ability to strike enemy bases and that weaponry violating the defense-only
policy would be "used only in the event of a catastrophic breakdown among
our allies," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has said. But Japan's stock
of such equipment could grow, unless clear guidelines are enacted that
distinguish between defense and offense.
(Nikkei)
Original post: nikkei.com
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