Japan to replace attack and observation helicopters with drones

Asia-Pacific, News February 18, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Japan has indicated that it might become the first country to replace its military helicopter fleet with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The replacement would include combat, utility, and observation helicopters.

Japan’s defense ministry released a defense buildup strategy document that outlines the ongoing and upcoming plans for the Japanese military strategy. According to the English language version of the document, the Japanese Defense Force would replace the helicopter fleet with drones.

The document did not specify a timeline for the replacement, however, it indicated that the plan would be executed in near future. The Japanese language version of the same document enlists the kinds of drones that the Japanese military currently owns and that could act as the initial replacement for the helicopter fleet.

The document also shows existing helicopters used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force that are armed to maintain the minimum required capability. Japan currently operates about 50 Bell AH-1 Cobra and 12 Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. The observation and surveillance helicopter fleet includes 37 Kawasaki OH-1s.

The country originally planned to acquire a new attack helicopter to replace its AH-1s, although that was subsequently canceled. Japanese Defence Forces are facing a shortage of military personnel with lesser and lesser people signing up for military services. The elimination of the attack and observation helicopters would result in a reduction in required personnel by about 1,000. Relieved personnel could be reassigned to regional army groups instead of the current structure, which attaches aviation squadrons at the division and brigade levels. The document did not specify if there would be any exceptions or if the whole fleet would be made obsolete together.

*^{Japanese Air Force Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. (Image Credit: JGSDF)}*

The Japanese forces also operate Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Fuji UH-1, and Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters. Japan is introducing the Subaru UH-2 utility helo to replace its UH-1s, with plans to procure 77 between now and 2027.

In December last year, Japan unveiled that it is diverging from its pacifist constitution amid growing threats from regional rivals. The recently unveiled national security policy indicates that Japan is planning for the largest military build-up since World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved three different documents related to Japan’s national security. These documents include Japan’s National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and the Japanese Defense Force Development Plan. The document also unveiled Tokyo’s willingness to acquire long-range missile systems to bolster its defense capabilities. Japan plans to acquire at least 500 U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles by the end of 2027. The Japanese ministry of defense has neither confirmed nor denied the reports so far.

Japanese Prime Minister also asked his Cabinet to secure enough funds to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) within the next five years. According to the Japanese defense ministry, Prime Minister Kishida told his Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada that Japan needs to urgently increase its defense budget by the fiscal year 2027.