According to Jane 360 Article Published on 10 July 2018 Japan is developing next-generation radar technologies to support its naval vessels, defence minister Itsunori Onodera has confirmed, although he denied reports that the country has agreed to undertake the programme in collaboration with the United States.
According to media reports in Japan, the radar development programme is focused on boosting the radar capability of the Lockheed Martin Aegis combat system, which is installed onto Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Kongo-class and Atago-class destroyers.
Reports have said that Japan is looking to integrate Japanese-developed technologies and semiconductors that would more than double the detection range of the Aegis system on board the destroyers.
Japan Likely To Develop Stealth Fighter Detecting Radar System
Japanese Defense Ministry has requested 19.6 billion yen ($178 million) budget funding in 2018 for developing a next generation new radar system that has increased capacity to identify Russia and China designed advanced stealth fighter jets.
The next-generation radar system would be capable to collect radio wave system. Further, it is expected that the new portable radar system would operate since 2024, various local media reported Thursday.
The Defense Ministry has included costs for development of advanced radar system, alongside deployment of land-based Aegis Ashore defense system and increasing the number of Aegis-equipped destroyers, in the budgetary allocation request for the next fiscal year.
The Japanese Defense Ministry’s plans to increase its defense capability would be most likely discussed during the 2+2 talks between the US and Japanese foreign and defense ministers, that is due to be held later on Thursday.
Both Russia and China have been involved recently in developing advanced technologies for stealth jets of its own, which are expected to be more advanced that the US-made ones.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation developed the Su-57, a single-seat, twin-engine multirole stealth fighter designed for air superiority and attack roles. It is equipped with advanced avionics system and airborne active phased array radar. The jet made its maiden flight in 2010. In July, United Aircraft Corporation president Yury Slyusar said that the first Su-57s could come into service in 2019.
China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) developed the J-20, a stealth, twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter. The jet carried out its maiden flight in January 2011, and was presented at the Airshow China last year.
