Posted on 06/17/2014 6:32:35 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
PARIS--Japanese defense contractors for the first time displayed their wares at the Eurosatory international exhibition, taking advantage of the Abe government’s move in April to lift the three-decade ban on weapons exports.
But Japan still faces a number of diplomatic and technological hurdles before it can become a major arms exporter.
About 1,500 defense companies from 58 countries will exhibit their latest weapons and other defense equipment at the Eurosatory in Paris through June 20. The trade show is expected to draw 58,000 military officials and industry participants from 90 countries.
Participant companies displayed large items, such as tanks and armored vehicles, as well as personal equipment, including gas masks and bullets, in the 18-hectare exhibition space.
At the Japanese booth, 13 defense companies, including major manufacturers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., are pitching their latest equipment, such as armored vehicles and mine detectors, and displaying both real and dummy items.
Facial-authentication systems, searchlights and other civilian goods were also shown at the joint Japanese booth.
In April, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet approved the new “three principles of arms transfer,” allowing Japan to export weapons to countries under certain conditions.
The government explained that Japan would be at a disadvantage if it was completely banned from taking part in international efforts to jointly develop defense equipment.
Previously, the Japanese defense industry could only supply the Self-Defense Forces. It now expects growth through exports of weapons and other defense-related equipment.
“We have reined in our export business (because of the previous regulations), but now we can enterprisingly sell products with technical advantages in overseas markets,” said Masami Yamamoto, president of Fujitsu Ltd.
Fujitsu supplies information systems to defense authorities in Britain and other countries. To expand its overseas defense-related business, the company in May took over a U.S. information technology company that has strength in management of weapons parts.
However, the majority of Japanese defense contractors maintain a cautious stance toward actively marketing weapons overseas because the issue could affect Japan’s diplomatic relations and national defense.
“We have no plans to market our products overseas on our own initiative,” said Akihiro Matsuyama, an executive officer of Mitsubishi Electric Corp., which manufacturers missiles and radar equipment. “We will conduct our business in accordance with and within the scope of the government’s intentions.”
Makoto Asari, CEO of Tokyo-based defense consultant Crisis Intelligence Co., which coordinated the joint participation of 13 Japanese companies in the Eurosatory, said, “Participants in the Japan booth, as well as visitors, seem to have a wait-and-see attitude.”
HURDLES REMAIN HIGH
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told a news conference on April 18 that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had received a request from a U.S. defense company to supply parts for the PAC-2 surface-to-air missile system.
But some government officials have voiced concern because the missiles could be exported from the United States to countries to which Japan is banned from exporting weapons.
Under the new principles, Japan cannot export weapons to countries that use prohibited arms, such as anti-personnel land mines and cluster munitions, in violation of international treaties. Japanese weapons exports to countries under a United Nations arms embargo and those engaged in military conflicts are also banned.
The lack of price competitiveness among Japanese defense contractors and the country’s need to protect defense secrets also pose hurdles for the industry.
One example is the US-2 amphibious aircraft for air-sea rescue work that has been developed and manufactured by ShinMaywa Industries Ltd.
The government has negotiated with India to export the US-2, the only aircraft in the world that can take off and land in the high seas. But its cost of around 10 billion yen ($98 million) has delayed the signing of the deal.
Australia has shown an interest in procuring a state-of-the-art submarine developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. But the Japanese companies are unlikely to export the vessel because “submarine technology constitutes a top secret,” according a senior official of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Instead, Japan and Australia have started joint basic research for developing submarine technologies.
(This article was written by Michiko Yoshida in Paris and Shinobu Konno and Osamu Uchiyama in Tokyo.)
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
As the USA withdraws from being the dominant military power and force for stability in the world countries will figure out they're on their own.
As a matter of curiosity, anybody know what’s the standard sidearm of the JDF?
Japan wants American bases removed, yet wants US protection from China.
Can’t have it both ways, boy-san.
From Wikipedia:
Standard issue
SCK/Minebea 9mm Pistol
Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol
Howa Type 89 (120,030)
Howa Type 64 (230,000)
Type 06 rifle grenade
Sumitomo MINIMI 5.56mm Machine Gun (4656)
M24 Sniper Rifle
Howa Type 64 Sniper Rifle
NTK/Sumitomo Type 62 machine gun
NTK/Sumitomo Type 74 In-vehicle machine gun
Sumitomo M2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Howa Type 96 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
Howa 84RR
Nissan/IHI Aerospace 110mm LAM
Special forces
H&K USP(Only Japanese Special Forces Group.)
H&K MP7(Only Japanese Special Forces Group.)
M4 carbine (Only Japanese Special Forces Group.)
M203 grenade launcher (Only Japanese Special Forces Group.)
Also found this:
Firearm Type Calibre Service
Meiji Type 26 Revolver 9mm Meiji 1893–1945
Nambu Type 14 Semi-automatic 8mm Nambu 1915–1945
Nambu Type 94 Semi-automatic 8mm Nambu 1934–1961
Nambu Model 60 Revolver .38 Special 1961–Present
Minebea P9 Semi-automatic 9×19mm Parabellum 1985–present
Thank you - that’s an excellent answer.
Checking it out, I found that the SCK Minibea pistol is a SIG 225 9mm made under license by Minebea as the Minebea P9.
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