Missile Shield To Protect Japanese

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 8-30-2003 | Anton La Guardia

[blam]

Missile shield to protect Japanese

By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor
(Filed: 30/08/2003)

Japan's armed forces yesterday asked for a large budget increase to build an anti-missile shield to protect the country from the growing threat posed by North Korea.

The announcement from Japan's Defence Agency came on the day that six-country negotiations on Pyongyang's nuclear programme ended in acrimony in Beijing.

Japan, already worried by a North Korean missile test in 1998, has become alarmed by Pyongyang's moves in recent months to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

The Japanese armed forces' request for £760 million to buy missile defence equipment from America is part of an overall military strengthening. This includes requests for more money to intercept North Korean spy ships and to buy a 13,500-tonne destroyer able to launch four helicopters at the same time.

By responding to the threat, Japan's move will strengthen missile defence advocates in the United States.

America has started to build a base in Alaska to deploy anti-missile interceptors, but after the September 11 attacks critics argue that the money would be better spent against terrorist threats.

Japan's move is likely to worry China, which is wary of any Japanese re-armament and fears that an American-sponsored anti-missile system could be extended to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Japanese officials said they were planning to deploy a two-layer network of missile defence to protect cities and other strategic sites by 2006.

The first line of defence would consist of still-unproven SM-3 missiles launched from US-built Aegis guided missile destroyers that would seek to destroy missiles soon after they were launched. The second layer would be a network of Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

[blam]

I would like for the Japanese to worry China.

[blam]

Japanese Aegis Ships To Be Upgraded With US Missile Defense System

[Renfield]

The best defense is a determined offense. Time to obliterate North Korea.

[Ramius]

If you ask me, it's time for the U.S. to approve (since the WWII Japanese constitution requires it, IIRC) that the JDF bump its forces (esp naval and air forces) up to a million or so, then approve building (quickly) a couple of first-class aircraft carriers. In the meantime they get some long range bombing capability courtesy of Lockheed and Boeing/McDonald Douglas.

Then let Japan take care of North Korea. I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to do so. Solved.

[Ramius]

That's all good. The JDF needs some more cruisers though, not just good destroyers. And a couple of carriers.

I got a somewhat private tour of a JDF destroyer in the San Diego yards back many moons ago when I was a coastie. IIRC, it was there to get an earlier Aegis system installed. Even back then (late 80's) they had electronics on the bridge and CIC and made us drool. They're really pretty boats, too.

Which reminds me of an unrelated topic. Back in cold war days we (even us coasties) did lots of sparring with the Soviet navy. Decent bunch, those Russian sailors. Had the chance to meet some of them for one reason or another. One thing was definitely true: Those Russian ships, especially the cruisers, were just freakin' gorgeous. Nice lines. Looked great cutting through the water. Turns out that while our boats were technically better and probably would have eaten their lunch in a shooting fight, ours were always kinda' boxy-looking. Theirs looked a hell of a lot better. :-)

[blam]

"Decent bunch, those Russian sailors. "

I was on diesel subs back in the early sixties, I agree about the Russian styling. Also, After the Navy I served in the Merchant Marines and bumped into Russian sailors in a number of ports, decent blokes.

[Steely Tom]

So silly. Don't the Japanese know that a missile shield is technically impossible, will never work, will be easy to defeat if it does work, and will simply contribute to a growing arms race?

I'm sure numerous American media outlets will explain to them the futility of this idea.

(steely)

[Centurion2000]

My grandfather fought in the Aleutians against the Japs. I'd be proud to fight with the Japs in Taiwan against the Chicoms, if it ever comes to that.

[hasegawasama]

Great news.