On Friday, December 22, 2023, the Japanese Cabinet approved a defense budget of 7.95 trillion JPY ($54.9 billion) for fiscal year 2024, which represents an increase of 1.128 trillion JPY ($7.8 billion) compared to 2023. The largest increase in Japanese defense spending in history is primarily attributed to the situation in East Asia, shaped by China-Taiwan relations and North Korean activity, as well as the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war. As a result, there is an expectation of the development of new military equipment and technologies and the acquisition of additional military hardware for the Self-Defense Forces.
Photo: Rikujō Jieitai
Since the new defense budget for 2024 increased in comparison to the previous year, expenditures for the production and purchase of new military equipment for the Self-Defense Forces were approved at a level of approximately 1.33 trillion JPY ($9.1 billion), which also results in an increase of equipment deliveries.
Photo: Japanese Ministry of Defense
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujō Jieitai):
- 24.2 billion JPY ($167 million) for 24 Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV), and 8 Maneuver Mortar Combat Vehicles (MMCV) for 8 billion JPY ($55 million) under the CTWV (Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicles) program.
Japan is forming a rapid reaction brigade, primarily composed of Type 16 MCV (Maneuver Combat Vehicle) wheeled tank destroyers to defend its islands against invading forces, so vehicles based on the Mitsubishi 8×8 MAV platform were ordered as part of the CTWV program. As a result, new wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and reconnaissance vehicles equipped with 30mm automatic cannons Mk.44, as well as self-propelled mortars equipped with French 120mm 2R2M mortars, have been tested since 2022.
- 16.6 billion JPY ($114.6 million) for the purchase of 10 Type 10 tanks;
- 17.1 billion JPY ($118 million) for the purchase of 19 Type 16 MCV wheeled tank destroyers;
- 14.9 billion JPY ($102.9 million) for the purchase of 16 Type 19 155mm self-propelled howitzers;
- 20 billion JPY ($138 million) for the purchase of 28 next-generation armored personnel carriers AMV XP (eXtra Payload, eXtra Performance, eXtra Protection) under the WAPC (Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier) program.
- 4.3 billion JPY ($29.7 million) for 9,927 Howa Type 20 5.56mm assault rifles;
- 18.9 billion JPY ($130.5 million) for bulletproof vests.
Image: Japanese Ministry of Defense
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijō Jieitai):
- 174 billion JPY ($1.2 billion) for the construction of two next-generation multi-purpose FFM frigates.
Initially, Japan planned to build 22 Mogami-class multi-purpose frigates of the 30FFM type, but later that number was reduced to 12. The Ministry of Defense decided to construct 12 vessels as part of the new FFM program, with the work being carried out by Japan Marine United (JMU) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Deliveries will commence in 2028.
- 95 billion JPY ($655.8 million) for the construction of the eighth Taigei-class submarine (with a displacement of 3000 tons);
- 83 billion JPY ($572 million) for the construction of a new type of supply ship;
- 26.3 billion JPY ($181.5 million) for the construction of the sixth Awaji-class minesweeper (690 tons);
- 103.6 billion JPY ($715.1 million) for the purchase of three Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft;
- 66.5 billion JPY ($459 million) for the purchase of six Mitsubishi SH-60L Seahawk maritime helicopters.
Photo: Kōkū Jieitai
Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Kōkū Jieitai):
- 112 billion JPY ($773.1 million) for the purchase of 8 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multi-role aircraft;
- 128.2 billion JPY ($885 million) for the purchase of 7 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft;
- 13.3 billion JPY ($91.8 million) for the modernization of Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Kai air superiority aircraft;
- 13.1 billion JPY ($90.4 million) for the modernization of 8 Mitsubishi F-2 multi-role aircraft.
Image: Japanese Ministry Of Defense
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has also estimated a budget for the development and purchase of new missiles at 734 billion JPY ($5 billion), in accordance with the new guidelines for securing capabilities in this area. The defense ministry’s plan involves acquiring a sufficient number of missiles by ensuring rapid funding from the budget to secure development work and production capabilities after the prior acquisition of American Tomahawk cruise missiles or others.
- 17.6 billion JPY ($121.5 million) for the development of a new anti-ship missile based on the Type 12 missile design and 48 billion JPY ($331.3 million) for the expansion of production facilities;
- 12.7 billion JPY ($87.7 million) for the development of Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) and 84 billion JPY ($579.9 million) for the development of advanced missiles;
- 72.5 billion JPY ($500.5 million) for the development of Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM);
- 35.2 billion JPY ($243 million) for the purchase of Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles (JSM);
- 5.1 billion JPY ($35.2 million) for the purchase of AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER);
- 29.4 billion JPY ($203 million) for the integration of 29 F-35A aircraft with JSM missiles;
- 13.3 billion JPY ($91.8 million) for the integration of F-15J aircraft with JASSM-ER missiles;
- 13.1 billion JPY ($90.4 million) for the integration of 8 F-2 aircraft with Type 12-based anti-ship missiles.
Additionally, budgetary funds in the amount of 1.2477 trillion JPY ($8.6 billion) will be allocated for integrated missile defense, with 392 billion JPY ($2.7 billion) earmarked for the construction of two ships equipped with the Aegis Combat System.
As a key component of Japan’s ballistic missile defense plan, the vessels in the ASEV (Aegis system equipped vessels) program will be equipped with the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar, Aegis Combat System, Tomahawk missile system, and the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15J anti-submarine warfare system. These systems are designed to support the development of Japan’s new missile defense system and enhance long-range defense capabilities.
They will be armed with 128 universal canister Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) carrying SM-2 and SM-3 surface-to-air missiles, Type 07 anti-submarine rocket, and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Additionally, it will be equipped with anti-ship missiles based on the Type 12 system once it developed.
Image: Japanese Ministry of Defense