Ukraine may acquire Japanese weapons as Japan considers export options
10 March, 2023 M270A1 of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Japan is considering exporting weapons to countries fighting the invasion. This should increase Tokyo's credibility in the global security arena.
The Japanese publication Nikkei reported about this. The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party put forward the idea of expanding the list of countries that have the right to receive Japanese-made weapons. These are, in particular, states that are forced to defend themselves against aggression.
Ukraine now belongs to such countries. So far, Japan has sent only body armor and other non-lethal equipment to Ukraine. According to the current rules, Tokyo can transfer military aircraft, armored vehicles and missiles only to those countries that, together with Japan, were engaged in their development and production.
The Japanese crew of the FH70 gun fires.
Photo credits: Japan Self-Defense Forces.
According to the article, there is an opinion among Japanese politicians that the diplomatic authority of the country may suffer due to such a pacifist position. Japan is closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan, there are increasingly calls to support Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia. Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called on lawmakers to change arms export rules.
Expanded military exports "will become a key political tool to help countries that have been aggressed against international law," Kishida said. "In case of unforeseen situations, we will have to ask other countries for weapons and ammunition, otherwise we will face their shortage. Do you think we can ask for [weapons] when we are in crisis if we don't give to other countries during their own crises?" Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Masahisa Sato said on Monday.
It is known that deputy from the Liberal Democratic Party and former defense minister Itsunori Onodera last month has initiated a parliamentary faction aimed at promoting arms exports.
The government and the ruling coalition are expected to start a debate on arms exports after local elections in April. In addition to exports to the countries being invaded, the government will consider exporting weapons to countries that cooperate with Japan on security issues. Such transfers will go beyond the borders of the participating countries in joint projects in the development and production of weapons.
Masahisa Sato, politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, proposes to send multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukraine, which are planned to be decommissioned by the 2029 fiscal year. But for now, the country's policy prohibits the export of weapons to conflict zones. Only a revision of the legislation can change the state of affairs.
The country is also actively producing the newly developed Type 19 self-propelled howitzers, which are supposed to replace the FH70 towed howitzers. Japan is the world's largest operator of these guns - 480 units of FH70 are gradually being phased out by the Japanese army.
Ukrainian gunners fire with an FH-70 howitzer, which was a gift from the Italian government, 2022
Moreover, the country can become a significant donor of artillery ammunition for howitzers, rocket launchers and NATO-style tanks. Currently, Japan provides protective equipment, demining equipment and small unmanned aerial vehicles to the Ukrainian military free of charge.
In addition, pyrotechnics of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine undergo training under the guidance of Japanese instructors in Tokyo.
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