The Defense Ministry plans to have the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Chokai test-fire a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile in the United States by next summer. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/14/japan/msdf-chokai-test-fire-tomahawk/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #defense #msdf #missiles #aegis #usjapanrelations #sdf #usmilitary #china #northkorea #russia
The Chinese military denounced a second joint patrol this month in the South China Sea involving the Philippines and partner navies, as tensions in the waterway soar. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/14/asia-pacific/politics/japan-south-china-sea-patrol/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #southchinasea #china #pla #philippines #defense #sdf #msdf #disputedislands #usmilitary
Japan has successfully test-fired a railgun against a target vessel at sea, taking it a step closer to becoming the first nation to deploy the cutting-edge weapon system. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/11/japan/railgun-test-firing/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #defenseministry #defense #guns #msdf
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba inspected the Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter carrier Kaga, which is becoming a de facto aircraft carrier, at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Saturday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/24/japan/politics/ishiba-msdf-destroyer/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #shigeruishiba #msdf #uk #yokosuka #defense #aircraftcarriers
Britain's Prince of Wales aircraft carrier has made its Japan debut in the final leg of a monthslong Indo-Pacific deployment at the helm of a multinational carrier strike group. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/12/japan/uk-prince-of-wales-carrier-japan-debut/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #yokosuka #aircraftcarriers #princeofwales #ukjapanrelations #msdf
Australia’s purchase of Japanese frigates marks a historic deal that boosts Japan’s defense industry and deepens shared strategic ties. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/editorials/2025/08/08/the-japan-and-australia-defense-deal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #editorials #australia #australiajapanrelations #defense#mogami #sdf #msdf #defenseministry
Australia’s purchase of up to 11 Japanese-built Mogami-class frigates marks a milestone in Japan’s defense exports and deepens strategic ties. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/08/06/japan/japans-frigate-sale-to-australia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #australia #australiajapanrelations #defense#mogami #sdf #msdf #defenseministry
Australia will purchase 11 Japanese-made frigates in what will be Tokyo’s biggest-ever postwar defense contract, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced Tuesday, in a major win for Japan’s defense industry. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/05/japan/japan-australia-mogami-contract/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #australia #australiajapanrelations #defense#mogami #sdf #msdf #defenseministry
The Defense Ministry has punished 93 members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, including its chief of staff, for improperly receiving goods from four domestic shipbuilding companies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/31/japan/msdf-members-punished-over-scandal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #msdf #defenseministry
The government held a briefing for Australian political and business leaders regarding an upgraded version of a Mogami-class frigate that Tokyo plans to export to Australia. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/22/japan/australia-frigate-briefing/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #australia#mogami #defense #us #msdf
Japan will export used navy destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China's maritime expansion, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/06/japan/japan-gives-philippines-used-destroyers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sdf #msdf #philippines #china #defense
British F-35B fighter aircraft could potentially be landing and taking off from one of Japan's de facto aircraft carriers soon, with a U.K. carrier strike group set to reach Japanese waters in August. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/02/japan/uk-f35-japan-carrier/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #ukjapanrelations #uk #indopacific #f35 #sdf #defense #msdf
A top adviser to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has visited Australia for discussions on deepening security ties, as Japan looks to win a government contract to replace the quasi-ally’s aging frigates. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/29/japan/politics/japan-nagashima-australia-mogami/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #australia #australiajapanrelations #shigeruishiba #defense #msdf #akihisanagashima #sdf
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's P-1 aircraft, the first domestic patrol aircraft, is underused mainly due to engine corrosion and problems with electronic devices, a probe has found. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/28/japan/japan-patrol-aircraft-underused/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #defense #defenseministry #sdf #china #msdf #pla