Japan set to sell US-2 plane to India, first sale of hardware used by military

Agence France-Presse ^ | 28 May, 2013

[sukhoi-30mki]

Japan set to sell US-2 plane to India, first sale of hardware used by military

Deal would be first sale of hardware used by the military and is seen as part of efforts by Tokyo and Delhi to contain the rise of China

Japan is close to signing an agreement to supply amphibious planes to India, a report said yesterday, in what would be the first sale of hardware used by the military since a weapons export ban was imposed.

During a four-day visit to Tokyo by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, scheduled to start later yesterday, the two sides are set to firm up plans for Delhi to purchase the US-2, a domestically developed aircraft used by Japan's armed forces.

The sale, reported by the Nikkei business daily, would be the first of a finished product made by Japan's home-grown defence industry since rules were imposed restricting the export of weapons systems and other equipment. It would also mark a strengthening of the alliance between Japan and India, which both see China's rise as a threat to regional stability. "If Japan and India sign the deal, it would be the first deal of its kind," said Zhou Yongsheng , a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing. "The region fears being dominated by a rising China, and the Japanese government has wooed the Indians and other Asian countries with military and economic enticements to get them to co-operate with the Japanese to contain China's rise."

Experts say the aircraft must be classified for civilian use if it is to comply with Japan's 1967 ban on arms exports, part of the post-war anti-militarist drive.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The US-2, a domestically-developed aircraft used by Japan's armed forces

[mosesdapoet]

Thanks for the posting.

Been wondering about the military use of anphibs since the US Navy droped the concept like the “Skate” some years back. It seems to me it would give small countries like Israel or island countrys like the Philipines or Taiwan some flexibility in territorial waters protection where the development of aircraft carriers are cost prohibitive.

There hasn’t been much published about their aggressive role bombing,tactical support etc during WWII. But aircraft much like the US-2 sure saved a lot of lives and brought in support supplies to isolated units during it.

And then there is their commercial use. Clippers could land in or near downtowns in most major American cities, Chicago,New York, Miami,Cleveland,San Fran,etc.

[Yo-Yo]

Russia has a very healthy amphibious aircraft industry.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Shein Mawa PS-1s and US-1s are stationed at MCAS Iwakuni.