1/15/2015
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approved on Wednesday a record defense budget for the third consecutive year to boost surveillance, especially of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands that are claimed by China.
The $42.3 billion approved for the next fiscal year beginning April 1 represents a 2 percent increase over the previous year and will allow Japan to acquire new fighter and patrol planes.
The increase also responds to the costs arising from the redeployment of U.S. forces stationed in the country, especially on the island of Okinawa.
The parliament, where Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has a comfortable majority, is expected to approve the budget before April.
The defense budget has seen a steady increase since Abe took office in 2012 in response to a plan to acquire new equipment in a five-year period until 2019 amid China’s growing strength in the region.
The defense ministry will buy 20 P-1 patrol aircraft as well as the Northrop Grumman E-2D, an early warning aircraft.
Also on the cards is the purchase of Global Hawk surveillance drones for future deployment.
The government has already finalized the future acquisition of six Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters and five Osprey V-22 aircraft to fend off possible attacks on Japanese territory, as well as 30 amphibious vehicles.
On several occasions, Chinese patrol boats have made their way into waters around the disputed Senkaku islands that Japan considers a part of its territory.
In 2012, Japan purchased the islands from their Japanese owner, a development which significantly deteriorated bilateral relations.
source
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approved on Wednesday a record defense budget for the third consecutive year to boost surveillance, especially of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands that are claimed by China.
The $42.3 billion approved for the next fiscal year beginning April 1 represents a 2 percent increase over the previous year and will allow Japan to acquire new fighter and patrol planes.
The increase also responds to the costs arising from the redeployment of U.S. forces stationed in the country, especially on the island of Okinawa.
The parliament, where Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has a comfortable majority, is expected to approve the budget before April.
The defense budget has seen a steady increase since Abe took office in 2012 in response to a plan to acquire new equipment in a five-year period until 2019 amid China’s growing strength in the region.
The defense ministry will buy 20 P-1 patrol aircraft as well as the Northrop Grumman E-2D, an early warning aircraft.
Also on the cards is the purchase of Global Hawk surveillance drones for future deployment.
The government has already finalized the future acquisition of six Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters and five Osprey V-22 aircraft to fend off possible attacks on Japanese territory, as well as 30 amphibious vehicles.
On several occasions, Chinese patrol boats have made their way into waters around the disputed Senkaku islands that Japan considers a part of its territory.
In 2012, Japan purchased the islands from their Japanese owner, a development which significantly deteriorated bilateral relations.
source
No comments:
Post a Comment