Latest news with #MSDF
Asahi Shimbun
19 hours ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Key MSDF patrol aircraft not up to task as corrosion ‘eating' engines
Engine malfunctions are plaguing the fleet of patrol aircraft essential to Maritime Self-Defense Force tracking of Chinese submarines and suspect ships in Japanese waters, according to the Board of Audit. The aircraft fly over the ocean at low altitudes for hours on end, making them prone to engine corrosion. The aircraft are a mainstay in Japanese efforts to monitor China's growing maritime assertiveness. The board did not divulge how many aircraft were affected in keeping with Defense Ministry protocols on security issues. The P1, the nation's first domestically made aircraft, was initially viewed as holding huge potential. It was considered to have no peer in submarine detection and tracking technology and there was talk of exporting the aircraft. But that never got off the ground. The Board of Audit study covered the 35 P1 aircraft deployed at MSDF bases across Japan as of September 2024. Primarily manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., the first P1 was deployed in 2013. It was the successor aircraft to the P3C, made by U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. The Board of Audit study said development, purchase and repair costs for the P1 through fiscal 2023 came to 1.776 trillion yen ($12.3 billion). The Defense Ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency plans to eventually deploy a total of 61 P1 aircraft at a cost of 4.090 trillion yen. The agency knew early on about the engine corrosion issue, but IHI Corp., which oversaw development, said the malfunctions were coincidental. So, nothing was done to rectify the problem. Within the MSDF, flying the P1 is considered the 'mission of missions' in that it comes with a huge array of detection equipment, making the plane a joy to operate. Increased sightings of Chinese submarines and other vessels in waters around Japan resulted in many more P1 missions. The burden of operating the aircraft around the clock on a rotational basis was never envisaged in the development stage, according to a highly placed MSDF officer. All sorts of issues emerged early on. The technology used in the U.S.-made P3C was off-limits, so Japanese engineers had to basically develop the aircraft technology from scratch. And this was at a time when the defense budget was not nearly as massive as it is today, meaning not all aspects of development could be adequately dealt with. The 'stovepipe' structure that separated ministry bureaucrats from SDF uniformed officers led to a failure in sharing information during the development stage, according to a high-ranking Defense Ministry official. The Board of Audit also pointed out that issues with the onboard electronic equipment and weapons were another reason some of the aircraft were grounded. Hopes of exporting the P1 aircraft were dashed after one of a pair dispatched to the Paris Air Show in 2017 developed problems and could not take part. (This article was written by Wataru Netsu and Daisuke Yajima.)
Qatar Tribune
21-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MSDF to launch its National Strategy 2025-2030 on Sunday
DOHA: Under the auspices of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) will launch on Sunday, its new National Strategy for the period 2025-2030, under the theme: 'From Care to Empowerment'. This strategy reflects the Ministry's commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Qatari society by establishing a comprehensive, sustainable social services system that aligns with the State's aspirations and Qatar National Vision 2030. The strategy will introduce a series of key initiatives aimed at improving social services, developing the necessary infrastructure, and supporting target groups. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive development projects forward. At its core, the strategy focuses on reinforcing family cohesion, promoting social justice, and raising living standards across society. It will offer a variety of programs, including family counseling and support services, parental education and awareness campaigns, and initiatives to promote mental health—contributing to the creation of a stable, adaptable family environment. A central pillar of the strategy is the empowerment of Qatari women, supporting their active participation in economic and social spheres, and encouraging their leadership and decision-making roles. It will also prioritize supporting vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, by enhancing social integration initiatives and expanding service offerings in a manner that upholds dignity, justice, and equity. The strategy places strong emphasis on fostering community engagement by empowering civil society organizations, promoting a culture of volunteerism, and encouraging sustainable charitable efforts. Additionally, it seeks to elevate citizens' living standards through economic empowerment programs, supporting productive families, and improving their overall quality of life. The launch of this strategy underscores the State of Qatar's steadfast commitment to sustainable social development and the creation of a prosperous society grounded in empowerment, participation, and social justice.
Yomiuri Shimbun
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Destroyer Passed Through Taiwan Strait in Mid-June Amid China's Intensifying Military Activities
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami in February 2020 The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami passed through the Taiwan Strait on June 12, several government sources said. This is the third time an MSDF vessel has passed through the strait, following September last year and March this year. The move is seen as an attempt to deter China, which is intensifying its military activities. After passing through the strait, the Takanami took part in a joint drill with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on June 14.
Asahi Shimbun
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
MSDF destroyer sails through Taiwan Strait amid tensions
The JS Takanami of the Maritime Self-Defense Force joins a joint exercise with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on June 14. (Toshiya Obu) The Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer JS Takanami passed through the contested Taiwan Strait, waters between China and Taiwan that China considers its own, in mid-June, multiple government sources said. The move is believed to be aimed at deterring China, which has been ratcheting up its naval activities in the region. This marks the third time that an MSDF vessel has passed through the strait, following similar passages in September last year and February this year. According to the government sources, the JS Takanami headed south through the passageway from the East China Sea on June 12 and entered the South China Sea. It is believed that the course was chosen deliberately on its way to a joint exercise with the Philippine Navy held on June 14. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani reportedly advised the prime minister's office that Japan should demonstrate its resolve not to allow any unilateral attempts by China to change the status quo, and had been seeking an opportunity for such a transit. Since late May, the Chinese navy has operated two aircraft carriers in waters near Japan. On June 7, for the first time, the Chinese naval vessels crossed the 'second island chain,' which stretches from Japan's Izu island chain to Guam. On June 7 and 8, carrier-based aircraft from a Chinese carrier flew unusually close to MSDF aircraft, among other activities. (This article was written by Daisuke Yajima and Mizuki Sato.)
Kyodo News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Japan destroyer sails Taiwan Strait after China jet encounter
KYODO NEWS - 12 hours ago - 00:06 | All, World, Japan A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait last week, days after a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific, diplomatic sources said Thursday. It was the third known passage through the waterway by an MSDF ship, with all occurring within the past year, apparently aimed at warning China, which continues to pressure Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island it claims as its own. The Takanami entered the strait from the East China Sea on June 12 and spent more than 10 hours as it sailed toward the south, the sources said. After the transit, the destroyer headed to waters off the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The entire transit was tracked and monitored by the Chinese military, according to the sources. The Takanami conducted a joint maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy on Saturday in a South China Sea area the Southeast Asian country claims jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying assertions in the waters. The Japanese government has typically refrained from sending MSDF vessels through the Taiwan Strait to avoid provoking China. But it has shifted its stance amid Beijing's growing assertiveness, joining ally the United States and others in asserting freedom of navigation in what they consider international waters. The latest transit came after Japan's Defense Ministry said that a Chinese J-15 fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong approached as close as 45 meters to an MSDF P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific on June 7 and 8. The previous two transits took place in September last year and February this year. The Japanese government has not officially admitted to the activities. Related coverage: Philippines, Japan conduct joint exercise in South China Sea China Coast Guard helicopter enters Japan airspace off Senkakus Japan defense chief vows to enhance transport capacity with new unit
