US Navy and Japan conclude Joint Mine Warfare Exercise MINEX 2JA 2024 in Northern Japan.

According ot information published by the US DoD on August 13, 2024, the US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) successfully completed Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 2JA 2024 in Mutsu Bay, off the northern coast of Japan.
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Aboard the USS Warrior, personnel deploy a Mine Neutralization Vehicle during mine detection activities in Mutsu Bay, Japan, as part of the 2JA Mine Warfare Exercise. (Picture source: Dvids)

Spanning 11 days, the exercise involved complex operations where U.S. and Japanese forces collaborated to clear a simulated minefield, ensuring safe passage for naval vessels. The drills focused on mine detection, hunting, and neutralization, utilizing unit-level tactics.

The exercise saw participation from multiple U.S. and JMSDF assets, including 14 JMSDF vessels and Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships from the U.S. Navy. Additionally, the exercise incorporated the Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 24.3, marking the first bilateral experimentation with unmanned systems between the U.S. and Japan.

Japanese Navy experience in mine warfare

Historically, Japan has placed significant importance on mine countermeasures (MCM), driven by the experiences of World War II and subsequent conflicts where mines played a critical role. This focus has resulted in the JMSDF becoming one of the world's leading naval forces in MCM capabilities.

The JMSDF operates a substantial fleet dedicated to mine warfare, including ocean minesweepers, coastal minesweepers, and mine countermeasure helicopters. Notable classes of vessels include the Awaji and Sugashima classes, which are specifically designed for advanced minehunting and neutralization.