The 22DDH is scheduled for deployment in 2015. It
will be 248 m long and cost around US$1.04 billion. It is 30 percent
bigger than the Ise and can carry 14 helicopters. The Ise measures
197 m, has a displacement of 13,500 tons and can carry 11 helicopters.
Although dwarfed
by China's aircraft carrier, which is 320 m long and can carry 50
fighter jets, the Japanese vessel will be equipped with the latest
U.S. weapons systems to maximize its capability. It will be equipped
with the Raytheon air and missile defense system, which has so far
only been installed on U.S. vessels, and 11 missile launchers.
Japan had several
aircraft carriers during World War II, but since its defeat it has
focused on developing helicopter carriers, which are deemed purely
defensive. It appears to be bolstering defenses to counter China's
increasing submarine warfare capabilities. The new carrier will house
mainly helicopters designed for anti-submarine warfare operations.
There are increasing
calls within Japan to modify the 22DDH for fighter jets. But critics
say it would be unrealistic to build such an aircraft carrier since
its navy has only 45,000 personnel, and the already indebted government
would run deeper into debt.
Chinese media
speculated that Japan could buy Lookheed Martin F-35B stealth fighters
capable of vertical takeoff and landing and base them on the new carrier.
Japan is also
speeding up the development of stealth fighters and drones. Since
2009, it has invested 39 billion yen (around W562.2 billion) on development
of an indigenous stealth fighter codenamed ATD-X. A prototype is expected
to be unveiled in 2014, and development is to be complete in 2016.
Japan's Defense
Ministry is also spending 15 billion yen this year on developing drones
and robots. One unmanned helicopter has already been deployed with
the Self-Defense Forces, while four prototype drones have been developed.
