Japan Joins Indigenous Fighter Game

Japan has been working on an indigenous sixth-generation fighter to replace its aging F-2 jets, which are scheduled to leave service in the mid-2030s. The F-X design has not been finalized but is expected to be powered by two domestically developed XF91 engines. It will have stealth characteristics and may be larger than the U.S. F-22, indicating an emphasis on range and payload. Japan is also developing two different types of combat drones that would operate alongside the F-X.

International Marathon United Technologies (IMUT) in Egypt has developed a new family of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles for the Egyptian military. The ST-100, and its lighter sister, the ST-500 (shown above), are modular and can be modified for a range of missions, such as troop carrier, weapons carrier, explosive ordnance disposal and command-and-control. Mission modules can be swapped in 45 to 60 minutes.

Sweden has developed a new lightweight, wire-guided torpedo for anti-submarine warfare missions. The Tp 47 builds on the previous Tp 45 torpedo and is optimized for shallow-water environments such as the Baltic Sea. It is designed to be launched from aircraft, surface ships and submarines. It employs a fully digital active/passive homing system for target detection, identification, tracking and engagement. It has a top speed of 40 knots, maximum depth of 980 feet and a range of about 13 miles.

Taiwan has commissioned its first Yushan-class landing platform dock, the lead ship in a planned class of four amphibious ships. Other new maritime records include the Chinese Zhaoduan-class coast guard cutter based on the Jiangkai II-class frigate; Israeli-Singapore Blue Spear anti-ship missile; and the Indian Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM).

Aviation records now current include the Thales Stratobus stratospheric airship, still in development; AGM-138A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) hypersonic glide vehicle; and the MQ-4C Triton long-range maritime surveillance drone.

There is a new record for the Chinese 125-mm ZPT-98 tank gun, which equips its latest Type 99 and export VT-4 tanks. The Thai Black Widow Spider 8 x 8 wheeled armored vehicle; the Slovenian/Serbian BOV-M family of 4 x 4 armored vehicles; and Chinese FL-3000N surface-to-air missile system have also been updated.

Jamaica has been upgrading its armed forces with new patrol boats and helicopters. The orders of battle for Djibouti, increasingly a site of U.S.-Chinese competition, and Malawi have also been updated.

Japan updated its National Security Strategy for the first time in a decade in late 2022, codifying a turn away from its traditional pacifism and announcing plans to acquire offensive weapons to bolster deterrence. Weapons Editor Aja Melville considers the move in “Redefining Pacifism.”

Russia has stepped up engagement in Africa following a series of coups, including military aid and deploying Wagner Group mercenaries. Naval Editor Tom Freebairn looks at Russia’s aims in “Moscow’s Africa Stratagem.”

The war in Ukraine has entered its second year. As might be expected, the way forward in the conflict was a major theme at the Munich Security Conference in February. Reuben Johnson has the story in “Looking Toward The End Of The War.”

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has seen renewed violence over the last year as the M23 militant group took up arms again after a decade-long truce. Armed Forces Editor Julian Lark examines the challenging regional situation in “M23 Rises Again.”

Finally, there is growing concern about the world’s readiness for new biological threats, whether from new diseases jumping from animals to humans or an accident at a growing number of poorly regulated labs. Andy Oppenheimer reviews the threat in “Getting Ahead Of Biological Threats.”

Sincerely,
Jeremiah Cushman
Senior Editor
Military Periscope