independence " Author: Alexei Zakharov, Project Manager FINAM.AERO
http://finam.info/currency/news2605600001/default.asp
Land of the Rising Sun for a long time formed his aircraft in close partnership with the United States. Recently, however, Japanese authorities have demonstrated a willingness to lead a more flexible and independent policy. This applies to both military and civil aviation.
Under the constitution, Japan could not have an army and, accordingly, the Air Force (IAF). However, it has long been a formality. Air defense forces of Japan has, according to various sources, 44-46 thousand troops and 260-280 aircraft.
The vast majority of aircraft, which exploit the Japanese military, is of American origin. Or aircraft purchased in the U.S., or manufactured in Japan under license from the developers overseas strategic partner.
For example, fighter aircraft fleet currently consists of three types of aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This F-2A - seriously modified F-16 Fighting Falcon (Lockheed Martin), as well as "yaponizirovannye" F-15J (Boeing) and F-4EJ (McDonnell Douglas). Similarly shaped and other types of military aircraft.
Meanwhile, the independent aviation industry there are Japanese. Air defense forces operate turboprop YS-11 turbo-jet and Kawasaki C-1A in different versions, as well as trainer Kawasaki T-4 and Fuji T-7.
Attack on the hegemony of the U.S. Department of Defense has made in Japan in April this year. Then there was a call for tender for the supply of fighter FX. They need to replace "veterans" F-4EJ. Planned volume of purchases - 42 units, the transaction value is estimated at $ 6 billion if the military will decide to replace the earlier versions of F-15J, the volume of purchases could grow to a hundred aircraft.
Three contestants: Typhoon (concern Eurofighter), F/A-18 Super Hornet (Boeing), and F-35 Lightning II (Lockheed Martin). The Ministry of Defense of Japan rather ostentatiously announced its intention to begin negotiations with the Europeans.
Actions do not look Japanese attempt to "take fright" American bidders. The fact that the Super Hornet - Navy Fighter. The performance characteristics of F/A-18 very good, but of marine origin makes it relatively expensive. As for the F-35, this is in the stage of finishing the fighter has consistently demonstrated the value and growth "slight shift to the right" timing of the deliveries.
The Japanese have expressed a strong desire to acquire another aircraft of the 5th generation - F-22 Raptor. However, U.S. authorities announced that a fighter, "restricted to travel abroad" and rejected all potential customers. Not surprisingly, the Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa said: "If they do not sell us the F-22 and F-35 is not ready yet and will require several years of refinement, there are other aircraft that are good enough." The Minister also noted that the alliance with Japan, the U.S. is not "governing" the choice between the Eurofighter Typhoon and its U.S. competitors.
The second (chronologically - the first, but more serious) "anti-US military aircraft" demarche, Japan has its own aircraft development program of the 5th generation - ATD-X Shinshin. Launched in 2004, the project had the status of technology demonstrator (ATD-X - Adventures Technology Demonstrator, Experimental). However, after the final rejection of the U.S. to sell the Japanese F-22 (2009) The status of the program was changed. Shinshin moved into the category of "real" combat aircraft, and the prospect of adopting.
The first flight is scheduled for a Japanese destroyer in 2014. In the army he might do in 2020, which is comparable with the existing assessment to date of the beginning of export of the F-35. The cost factor for the Japanese in this case is unlikely to be significant. Important for them to learn new technology (which can later be used in other projects) and demonstrate the ability to develop and produce the most advanced air combat vehicles.
The desire for independence in the aviation field is shown not only the Japanese military, but also in the civil sphere. For example, the site WikiLeaks has published a report of the American Embassy in Japan, directed the State Department in February of last year. In his dispatch reports that the Government intends to Rising Sun coordinated pressure on the leading airline - Japan Airlines Corp (JAL), in order to induce him to buy airplanes Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). The current reorganization plan provides for the replacement of the JAL fleet (50 units) for small-sized aircraft with a capacity of 50-100 economical places. Government's intentions are to make the 70-90-seat MRJ regional transport aircraft major airlines upgraded JAL.
Earlier, in another dispatch embassy reported that the Japanese government has put pressure on JAL and other major carriers - All Nippon Airways (ANA). "Agents of influence" are former government officials who now work in both the airlines. Instead, JAL and ANA promised benefits in the form of lucrative slots (schedule of routes) and protection from foreign competitors. In the Japanese aviation industry believe that Mitsubishi has a government guarantee to sell a certain number of aircraft.
MRJ aircraft quite specific, with some designed for a departure from contemporary standards of comfort. However, this must be compensated by a decrease in operating costs, which makes it possible to reduce the price of tickets. With the current state of the air travel market is a competitor MRJ regional jet manufacturers (Bombardier, Embraer and "SCAC"). However, in the case of market changes, it could endanger aircraft of the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320.
For aviation ambitions of Japan may be treated differently. Yes, as to create high-tech aircraft (whether civil or military) without a major school of design is a bit adventurous. However, the mere presence of such ambitions is very revealing. Given the instability of the world - and the U.S., Japan intends to enter the economy as a vendor at a market segment where previously it was only by the buyer.
/ / Alexei Zakharov, Project Manager FINAM.AERO