Last year, Abe eased a long-standing ban on arms exports and issued an interpretation of the Japanese constitution that lets the countrys self-defense forces defend other countries as well as Japan. This year, he is expected to push for legislation allowing Japans military to fight alongside allies on foreign soil. Abes cabinet has approved a third straight increase in Japans defense budget to $42 billion, the largest ever. The aim is to defend the Senkaku Islands if necessary, with an emphasis on defense and surveillance equipment and expansion of Japans rapid deployment capability. The budget includes funds for 30 AAV7 amphibious vehicles and five Bell Boeing V-22 Ospreys, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can ferry troops long distances like a transport plane and land them in a battle zone like a helicopter. Japan will also buy 20 P-1 maritime surveillance aircraft as well as its first unmanned surveillance aircraft — three Northrop Grumman Global Hawks. Theres money for six Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft and for establishing a support base on the island of Yonaguni, close to the disputed Senkakus.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:51:54 +0000
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