Something about fighter aircraft always catches my eye when I am perusing news stories. I have always been enamored of fast, hot-looking aircraft, and have a great appreciation for what they bring to combat. Seeing an article entitled "Japan to test first homegrown stealth fighter jet: report" in the AFP wire grabbed my attention. I have been following changes in Japanese defense policy with particular interest since April of this year and first talked about it in my blog on May 30.
To recap, in April the Japanese announced that Japanese troops might be used in defense of military operations by allies of Japan. In May the Japanese announced they would begin exporting Japanese arms and components to allies in Asia (not just to the U.S. and other Western governments). Throughout this spring and summer we have seen an increase in tensions between Japan and China over islands in the East China Sea. The Chinese apparently developed a stealth figher which shows elements of F-22 and F-35 designs probably stolen by the Chinese in 2007.
For my two cents, this latest development should not surprise anyone. The Japanese have committed themselves to an expansion of what "defensive" force means under Article 9 of their constitution. Combine the redefining of "defense" with increased air activity over the East China Sea and the possession of stealth aircraft by the Chinese and the Japanese action is reasonable. The question is the same now as all year for the Japanese; is expansion of use of Japanese military force, expansion of arms exports, and now the development of stealth technology in aircraft "defensive"? No need for alarm either, for now keep it all in perspective. Japan's move does not appear to be a gambit in an arms race, though I would expect the Chinese government through some office to potentially claim Japan is trying to start an arms race.
To recap, in April the Japanese announced that Japanese troops might be used in defense of military operations by allies of Japan. In May the Japanese announced they would begin exporting Japanese arms and components to allies in Asia (not just to the U.S. and other Western governments). Throughout this spring and summer we have seen an increase in tensions between Japan and China over islands in the East China Sea. The Chinese apparently developed a stealth figher which shows elements of F-22 and F-35 designs probably stolen by the Chinese in 2007.
For my two cents, this latest development should not surprise anyone. The Japanese have committed themselves to an expansion of what "defensive" force means under Article 9 of their constitution. Combine the redefining of "defense" with increased air activity over the East China Sea and the possession of stealth aircraft by the Chinese and the Japanese action is reasonable. The question is the same now as all year for the Japanese; is expansion of use of Japanese military force, expansion of arms exports, and now the development of stealth technology in aircraft "defensive"? No need for alarm either, for now keep it all in perspective. Japan's move does not appear to be a gambit in an arms race, though I would expect the Chinese government through some office to potentially claim Japan is trying to start an arms race.
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