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Japan has moved closer to a Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey acquisition, by including funding in its FY2015 defense budget. The country is boosting defense spending “to ensure the security of the seas and airspace surrounding Japan,” according to a budget document from the Defense Ministry in Tokyo.
The budget document states that “source selection is under way” for a tiltrotor, without specifying the V-22. The U.S. Congress has not yet been notified of the planned buy, but Boeing has confirmed that negotiations are proceeding. The country’s intention to acquire 17 tiltrotors to accompany the creation of an amphibious brigade was revealed a year ago.
The budget also provides funding for 20 Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft worth $3.2 billion. First flown in 2008, the four-jet P-1 is intended to replace the country’s large fleet of P-3C Orions. But the budget also provides for further capability upgrades and life extensions for some P-3Cs. Another indigenous development in the maritime domain is signaled by the allocation of $58 million for a new anti-submarine helicopter. Meanwhile, a further five SH-60K helicopters are being acquired, built under license from Sikorsky by Mitsubishi.
Despite moving forward with a planned upgrade to its fleet of four land-based Boeing E-767 Awacs, Japan is also evaluating new AEW&C aircraft, according to the document. The requirement for persistent wide-area surveillance UAVs is restated. The Northrop Grumman Global Hawk is the expected candidate to meet this requirement.
