Experts' meeting of the Japanese Ministry of Defense discusses next-generation propulsion submarines, not excluding nuclear power
The expert meeting set up by the Japanese Ministry of Defense submitted a report to Minister Nakatani Haruhiko on Friday, summarizing its discussions and proposing to relax the current rules that only allow the export of five categories of non-combat equipment (rescue, transportation, surveillance, monitoring, and mine clearance equipment), and to flexibly revise the "Defense Force Readiness Plan." The proposal also calls for the development of "next-generation propulsion" to extend the submarine's underwater endurance.
According to Kyodo News, it has been ten years since the Japanese House of Representatives passed the "Peace and Security Legislation" in 2015, and the above content aims to urge further strengthening of defense capabilities, but could potentially lead to a retreat from the principle of "pacifism" enshrined in the constitution. The integration of nuclear submarines with the "peaceful use of atomic energy" stipulated in the Basic Act on Atomic Energy will also be questioned.
The expert meeting was established in February of last year to obtain expert advice to advance policies based on the "National Security Strategy" formulated by the Japanese government in 2022. After receiving the report, Nakatani stated that he would "actively utilize" this document in the process of advancing the fundamental enhancement of (defense capabilities).
Since 2023, Japan has further revised and expanded the scope of arms transfers, explicitly allowing the export of five categories of equipment (rescue, transportation, surveillance, monitoring, and mine clearance equipment) even if they are equipped with lethal weapons. It also allows the export of bulletproof vests, previously limited to Ukraine, to countries suffering from unlawful aggression.
The report states that "it is necessary to continue broadening transfer channels after obtaining the understanding of the people." Regarding the transfer of equipment to friendly countries facing threats from other nations, the report includes the idea that "there is no restriction on the type of weapons, including lethal ones, as one of the options."
Regarding submarines, the report emphasizes the need to conduct research and technological development to "enable long-range missiles, long-distance, and extended underwater operations."
It is reported that the report recommends Japan acquiring new submarines capable of vertically launching long-range missiles, and suggests considering the power source without being constrained by conventional practices. The expert meeting also stated that nuclear submarines are not ruled out.
The Japanese government is accelerating the deployment of long-range missiles with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, enabling retaliation from outside the enemy's attack range. Additionally, plans to deploy missiles that can be launched from land, sea, and air are also being advanced ahead of schedule.
The current "Defense Force Readiness Plan" includes the development and maintenance of missiles deployed on submarines. The report emphasizes that deploying long-range missiles on submarines will "significantly enhance deterrence." If submarines are equipped with long-range missiles, they can strike large enemy land bases in the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by the sea, Japan has many areas where submarines can submerge. From the enemy's perspective, it is difficult to detect and destroy hidden underwater submarines.
Kyodo News reports that the problem lies in the power. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's submarines use diesel engines, which have limited mobility and underwater endurance. Their underwater speed is only 20 knots (37 km/h), not particularly fast. To drive the engine, submarines need to take in air during navigation, increasing the risk of being detected by enemies when surfacing.
To avoid these problems, countries like the United States have nuclear submarines. These submarines can carry large missiles, travel at high speeds over long distances. The U.S. Navy's nuclear submarines can carry "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, with a speed of over 25 knots and can remain submerged for extended periods without refueling.
Shigeta Kazuhisa, former vice minister of the Ministry of Defense who participated in the expert meeting, said that submarines are "less vulnerable to attacks" compared to land bases, ships, and aircraft, as they stay underwater, greatly reducing the risk of identification and missile attacks by enemies. He then emphasized, "Power is key to eliminating the weaknesses of submarines. We should consider all options, including nuclear power, without any taboos."
The report mentioned that discussing nuclear submarines has long been considered a taboo in Japan. Some believe it violates the Basic Act on Atomic Energy, which clearly states that "the research, development, and utilization of atomic energy should be limited to peaceful purposes and ensure safety first." Some members of the opposition have also pointed out that allowing nuclear submarines equipped with long-range missiles to go to distant seas would violate the principle of "exclusive defense."
The Japanese government has maintained a cautious stance. In September last year, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa stated at a press conference: "It is relatively difficult to possess nuclear submarines under the current interpretation." Budgets are still an issue as well.
Kyodo News also mentioned that regarding the "Defense Force Readiness Plan" setting the total defense spending for the fiscal years 2023 to 2027 at approximately 4.3 trillion yen (about RMB 200 billion), the report pointed out that due to changing international situations and operational methods, "it should explore more flexible adjustments to the target period and formulation cycle," implying the need for early revision.
Regarding the government's goal of having defense spending plus related expenses account for 2% of GDP by the 2027 fiscal year, the report gave a positive assessment, stating that "it is crucial for demonstrating national will." It emphasized the need to explain the responses required to strengthen defense capabilities and called for discussions on increasing funding. In addition, it mentioned ensuring stable financial resources.
Regarding Japan's domestic defense industry, the report analyzed that there is a high reliance on small and medium-sized enterprises, and companies find it difficult to promote research and development with their own capital. It called for exploring the concentration of enterprises and the introduction of state-run factories to manufacture equipment.
It is reported that the expert meeting's recommendations involve the defense nature of the "Second Island Chain" connecting the Ogasawara Islands and the U.S. territory of Guam. They clearly stated, "A conclusion should be reached as soon as possible." Currently, an "Air Defense Identification Zone" (ADIZ) has not been established over the Ogasawara Islands. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force can urgently take off in this airspace to respond to violations of other countries' airspace.
The proposal also suggests establishing an Air Defense Identification Zone over the Ogasawara Islands to prevent foreign aircraft from violating airspace.
Source: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843887324071948/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.