Japan All AH-64DJP Apaches and OH-1 Ninjas will be retired

[B_A]

For the moment Scramble Magazine does not know the exact status of these plans, but local media reported there could be some very dramatic changes in the fleets of the various Self-Defense Forces.

In order to economise on defence spending in the coming years some types will be retired, while for others the numbers planned to be ordered will be reduced.

For the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), more emphasize will be made on protecting the air and space domain, therefore it will be renamed into the Koku Uchu Jieitai or Japan Air and Space (Self) Defense Force.

To limit its part in defence spending, the U-125A Search and Rescue aircraft will be retired and replaced by more UH-60J II helicopters. Retirement will probably be one at a time, spread out over some years.

The big shocker is the retirement of almost the entire anti-tank helicopter fleet of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). All AH-64DJP Apaches and OH-1 Ninjas will be retired, together with the bulk of the remaining AH-1S Cobra fleet. Probably only one Cobra unit will survive.

For the Japan Marine Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) it is planned to reduce the number of Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Sikorsky SH-60Ks but the exact impact is not clear. It could mean less P-1s will be acquired than originally planned or even stopping production altogether. The production of the SH-60K has already stopped but it could mean a limited number of SH-60Ls will be bought or even stopping developement of this Seahawk variant.

It is anticipated in the plans that Unmanned (Combat) Aerial Systems (UCAS) will be acquired to take over the tasks of the JGSDF attack helicopters and of the JMSDF anti-submarine fleet.

Scramble Magazine stresses these are only plans as reported by Japanese media, no time schedule was given.

Photos by Eric Tammer and Daniël de Pruis (both Scramble Archive)

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/70f5b255dc5b53391fa5c525ed96f08ed953d968

 

[Gary]

Not surprising, Japan must remodel itself for the high end fight with China. More survivable assets would be needed, something that the choppers lack.

 

[B_A]

Not surprising, Japan must remodel itself for the high end fight with China. More survivable assets would be needed, something that the choppers lack.

The current japan defence industry system is too bad for them.The Mitsubishi or Kawasaki and other company forcus on civilian section and only pay a little attention on defence section,they wasted lots of money.

They need to create a professional defence company, for example,Japansese Aerospace Industries(just like KAI of korea and TAI of Turkiye)

 

[Ryder]

Not surprising, Japan must remodel itself for the high end fight with China. More survivable assets would be needed, something that the choppers lack.

Russians lost so many choppers in Ukraine.

This has rang bells for many armies.

 

[Madokafc]

Russians lost so many choppers in Ukraine.

This has rang bells for many armies.

Unless you are at the level of US or China, as both still invested more resource into such assets. But as far as i know, even Turkey still invested into attack helicopters, don't know if they can be opt into unmanned version in near future

Btw, US army actually loosing more than thousand helicopters of various type for various reason in Vietnam wars' , but it is still not deterred them into putting more resource into such assets even knowing their enemies at the time, Soviet Union would put more resource to build more manpads and mobile AA gun type weaponry .

 

[Ryder]

Unless you are at the level of US or China, as both still invested more resource into such assets. But as far as i know, even Turkey still invested into attack helicopters, don't know if they can be opt into unmanned version in near future

Btw, US army actually loosing more than thousand helicopters of various type for various reason in Vietnam wars' , but it is still not deterred them into putting more resource into such assets even knowing their enemies at the time, Soviet Union would put more resource to build more manpads and mobile AA gun type weaponry .

Helis are too vulnerable just like tanks.

Unless better counter measures are made along with support I dont think helis will go any time soon.

Hence why tanks and helis are still being invested as they are the bread and butter of modern warfare and give considerable support for infantry.

High attrition rates of helis and tanks getting destroyed has put some off from investing in them.

 

[Madokafc]

Helis are too vulnerable just like tanks.

Unless better counter measures are made along with support I dont think helis will go any time soon.

Hence why tanks and helis are still being invested as they are the bread and butter of modern warfare and give considerable support for infantry.

High attrition rates of helis and tanks getting destroyed has put some off from investing in them.

That's why modern war is actually battle of resource between industrialized countries in the first place. It is not all about wonder weapon which can defeat anything or who can shoot the most, but who's Will the Strongest, gather all of their resource convert them into actual capability, able to gritted their teeth to still standing at the last.