Japan to Participate in Large-Scale International Military Exercise "Valiant Shield"
Japan will take part in the large-scale international joint military exercise "Valiant Shield," led by the United States. The exercise will be held from June 22 to July 1.
This live-fire exercise will cover vast regions across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including Guam and Hawaii. It will utilize Japan's Self-Defense Forces bases and U.S. military bases, as well as airspace and maritime areas surrounding Japan. Apart from the United States, no other participating countries have plans to deploy military aircraft or vessels to Japan.
The exercise aims to enhance the tactical capabilities of Japan's Self-Defense Forces and strengthen cooperation with partner nations, thereby bolstering regional deterrence and response capabilities.
The exercise includes five types of drills: joint air operations, joint anti-ship exercises, airborne operations, runway recovery exercises, and joint medical care exercises.
Joint air operations will be conducted in the Sea of Japan, south of Okinawa, and at the Komaki Air Base in Hokkaido. Japan will deploy 30 fighter jets, 1 AWACS aircraft, 2 refueling aircraft, 4 transport aircraft, and 1 air defense unit in the Sea of Japan. The United States will deploy 4 fighter jets, 3 refueling aircraft, and 1 air defense unit.
Japan will send 8 fighter jets, while the United States will send 30 fighter jets and 3 refueling aircraft for the aerial exercise south of Okinawa.
Exercises at the Komaki Air Base in Hokkaido will include a land-based anti-ship missile system consisting of six vehicles operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, along with an air defense unit from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The United States will dispatch 1 transport aircraft to participate.
The airborne operation drill will take place from June 25 to 29, primarily at the large training area in Hokkaido.
The "Valiant Shield" international joint military exercise has been held biennially in the Indo-Pacific region since 2006, involving multiple military branches. Japan began participating in this exercise starting in 2024.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868660199781444/
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