7 novembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

David J. Bercuson: Why Japan is building its military, fast

David J. Bercuson

With 18 diesel electric submarines, four so-called “helicopter destroyers” that look suspiciously like small aircraft carriers, 43 destroyers and destroyer escorts, 25 minesweepers and training ships, fleet oilers, submarine rescue ships and other vessels, Japan's navy — the Maritime Self-Defense Force — is the second largest in Asia and one of the largest in the world. It is also highly advanced technologically and is growing all the time. The two 27,000 ton Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, the largest in the fleet, with flat flight decks and islands on the starboard side of the vessels, are small compared to the United States Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carriers (approximately 100,000 tons) or Britain's new Queen Elizabeth-class carriers (65,000 tons). But if equipped with the new short-take-off-and-vertical-landing F-35B stealth fighter they will still pack a powerful punch. And Japan is considering adding more of these aircraft carriers to its fleet and advanced U.S.-style Aegis class destroyers, capable of shooting down medium-range ballistic missiles.

The irony in all of this is that Japan's post Second World War constitution still contains a provision — Article 9 — that prohibits it from possessing any offensive military capability. In the early 1950s, Japan began to build its self-defence forces and now has a powerful navy, a modern medium-sized air force that will soon fly the F-35 along with specially built F-15s, alongside more than 300 fighter aircraft and 50,000 personnel, and a growing land army and marine sea landing capability.

Are these military assets “defensive” in nature?

Partly, but aircraft carriers, high-speed destroyers, modern fighter aircraft and assault ships are surely as offensive as they are defensive. And Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it plain that in less than two years, he intends to seek to change the Japanese constitution to drastically curtail any obligation Japan has to maintain a purely defensive capability. In other words, he will ask the Japanese people and legislature to bless what Japan has already done.

That could be more problematic than people realize.

Like Germany, Japan suffered greatly in the Second World War. Virtually all its great cities were levelled either with atomic bombs (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) or fire raids that were carried out by giant B-29 bombers at low altitude at night. The attacks burned the heart out of Japan's cities. In March 1945, 100,000 people were killed in one night in a fire raid on Tokyo and many acres of the city were burned to the ground. Submarine blockades of Japan drastically curtailed food and fuel supplies. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers were killed either in the United States' march across the Pacific or in the Russian invasion of Manchuria near the end of the war. Japan was a prostrate nation by the end of 1945 and its ancient system of government was a shambles.

Full article: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/david-j-bercuson-why-japan-is-building-its-military-fast

Sur le même sujet

  • Contracts for September 8, 2021

    9 septembre 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contracts for September 8, 2021

    Today

  • Demand for New and Refurbished Aircraft and Need for Lightweighting Materials Fuel Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Sector Growth

    29 octobre 2018 | International, Aérospatial

    Demand for New and Refurbished Aircraft and Need for Lightweighting Materials Fuel Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Sector Growth

    LONDON, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW/ -- Current and evolving growth prospects in the global aerospace adhesives and coatings market look promising over the next six years. Frost & Sullivan's analysis forecasts the market to reach $1.90 billion by the end of 2024, driven by an increasing need for lighter materials, investment in technically advanced products, evolving regulations, and high-volume demand for new and refurbished aircraft. "While manufacturers are increasingly investing in product development to enhance environmental sustainability and product efficiency, customers are seeking out products that are easy to apply, highly durable, quick drying, lighter in weight, environmentally sustainable, and regulatory compliant," said Christeena Thomas, Senior Research Analyst,Chemicals and Materials, EIA at Frost & Sullivan. For further information on this analysis, please visit http://frost.ly/2vs Merger and acquisition activities are expected to continue, with global companies acquiring small manufacturers to access their products, technical competences, distribution channels, and customer bases. To gain a competitive advantage, Thomas recommends manufacturers invest in developing adhesive formulations that are superior in properties such as durability and UV resistance and compatible with multiple substrates while exhibiting reduced overall weight after application. Key trends creating growth opportunities in the market include: A boost in unmanned aerial vehicle demand in commercial, defence, and general aviation segments due to decreased technology costs High demand for adhesives and coatings in the defence and aerospace segments in the Asia-Pacific and Rest of World countries with increased investments in domestic manufacturing and operations Customer demands for newer, high-performance adhesives and coatings Growth in defense spending in the aerospace sector due to changing global economic conditions Growing demand for adhesive and coatings formulations that are compatible with robotic applications Replacement of traditionally used heavy fasteners with lighter-weight adhesives "Programs such as Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the European Union, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to increase the research and development and transaction costs that businesses incur when developing and distributing new types of chemical compounds," noted Thomas. "In addition, extensive testing, verification, and approval cycles delay product launches, resulting in significant time and costs for material suppliers." Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 market intelligence identifies disruptive market and technology trends, drivers and restraints, market share and competitive analysis. Percent unit shipment forecast by technology, application, chemistry, and end-industry for Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World are also provided. Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's Visionary Science research and analysis available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organisations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/demand-for-new-and-refurbished-aircraft-and-need-for-lightweighting-materials-fuel-aerospace-adhesives-and-coatings-sector-growth-698876461.html

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 9, 2019

    12 août 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 9, 2019

    NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $176,339,634 firm-fixed-priced, performance-based logistics contract for the repair of 1,672 different head-of-family part numbers in support of the AEGIS SPY-1 Weapon System. The contract is a five-year contract with no option periods. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by August 2024. No funds are obligated at the time of award. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source, non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-VM01). Raytheon Co., Goleta, California, is awarded $29,790,677 for modification PZ0001 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-18-C-1055). This modification provides for Lot 14 full-rate production of 82 F/A18 CD-108B/ALE-50(V) Control, Dispenser, Decoy, Countermeasures Integrated Multi-platform Launch Controllers. Work will be performed in Forrest, Mississippi (45%); Andover, Massachusetts (25%); Goleta, California (20%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (10%), and is expected to be completed in February 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $29,790,677 will be obligated at time of award, $26,850,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Swift River Versar JV,* Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded a maximum amount $18,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mission sustainment and coastal resilience and related environmental planning services. The work to be performed provides for professional services that will support the study and implementation of mission sustainment and coastal readiness measures, including hardened structures and green infrastructure, which will ensure Navy and Marine Corps readiness of installations, ranges and operation areas. This contract will support environmental, asset management and expeditionary support services that will assist Department of Navy and Department of Defense commands in ensuring mission sustainability. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic area of responsibility including, but not limited to Virginia (28%); North Carolina (22%); South Carolina (22%); Connecticut (7%); Florida (7%); Maine (7%); and Maryland (7%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No task orders are being issued at this time. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy). This contract was procured on a sole source basis pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.805-1(b)(2). Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-4004). General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded $15,200,000 for delivery order N62789-19-F-0019 under previously awarded, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-16-D-4300 for the planning, material procurement, and repair work for USS Washington (SSN 787). Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by December 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,600,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. A Fair Opportunity Notice was issued to both multiple award contract indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity holders on July 18, 2019, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Groton, Connecticut, is the contracting activity. MN&DPI JV LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62742-18-D-0001) for architect-engineering services for various structural and waterfront projects and other projects under the cognizance of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific. The work to be performed provides for design and engineering services for the execution and delivery of engineering studies; plans, specifications, and cost estimates/parametric cost estimates, including preparation of design-build contract documents or design-bid-build contract documents; and post construction award services. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $55,000,000. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Pacific Area of Responsibility, including Guam (69%); and Hawaii (13%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of December 2022. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders and task order modifications as they are issued. Task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (planning and design). Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. ARMY Federal Contracting Inc., doing business as Bryan Construction Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $69,146,753 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a tactical equipment maintenance facility and ancillary buildings. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Fort Carson, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of April 24, 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $69,146,753 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-19-C-0029). TekSynap Corp.,* Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $31,657,006 firm-fixed-price contract for general program management, technical, research, analytical, and administrative support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 8, 2024. U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9124J-19-D-0015). Digital Management LLC, Bethesda, Maryland, was awarded an $19,141,206 modification (P00007) to contract W52P1J-17-F-4020 for interactive Personnel Electronic Record Management System. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 9, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Dumey Contracting Inc.,* Benton, Missouri, was awarded a $14,714,782 firm-fixed-price contract for construction, and degrading an existing levee and levee with berms and ditches. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Hornersville, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 1, 2021. Fiscal 2019 civil works funds in the amount of $14,714,782 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis, Tennessee, is the contracting activity (W912EQ-19-C-0008). Manson Construction, Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $13,655,300 firm-fixed-price contract for unrestricted procurement for Houston Ship Channel hopper dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Galveston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 27, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,655,300 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-19-C-0008). RLB Contracting Inc.,* Port Lavaca, Texas, was awarded a $13,584,500 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Port Arthur, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 10, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,584,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-19-C-0011). Cottrell Contracting Corp.,* Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded a $10,437,490 firm-fixed-price contract for Norfolk Harbor Channel maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil construction funds in the amount of $10,437,490 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-19-C-0019). Yaeger Architecture Inc.,* Lenexa, Kansas, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912DQ-19-D-4011). Morrish-Wallace Construction Inc.,* Cheboygan, Michigan, was awarded an $8,243,527 firm-fixed-price contract for repairs and stone revetment along Lake Erie. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Hamburg, New York, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2010 civil construction funds in the amount of $8,243,527 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, New York, is the contracting activity (W912P4-19-C-0019). AIR FORCE Radiant Geospatial Solutions LLC,* Ypsilanti, Michigan, has been awarded a $14,226,474 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Red Wing Next Generation Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Cloud. The objective of this effort is to deliver an automated and efficient workflow for National System of GEOINT analysis by reducing latency for product generation, exploitation and intelligence gathering. This effort will expand the use of Amazon managed services through careful assessment of emerging offerings with the goal of improving resiliency, reducing cost and reducing exposure to cyber threats. Work will be performed at Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Herndon, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 7, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation in the amount of $3,713,188 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-19-C-1502). Kearney & Co. P.C., Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $13,031,667 firm-fixed-price contract for advisory and assistance services support for the Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability missions. This contract will provide for future and concepts analysis, design blueprints, capability development strategic integration, capability development implementation analysis, assessment of opportunities for new capability, workflow management, strategic communication, special access program integration, simulation studies, war gaming support, decision analytics and strategy, planning, programming, budgeting and execution analysis. Work will be performed at Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 8, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,994,101 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force District of Washington Contracting Directorate, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-19-F-A162). Kearney & Co. P.C., Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,620,685 firm fixed price contract modification (P00005) to previously awarded contract FA7014-18-F-1022 for the exercise of Option Period One for advisory and assistance services to support Total Force analysis. This contract modification includes capability and capacity analysis of Air Force mission areas; linking results to the strategy, planning, and programming process; performing planning, programming, and budgeting study excursions; analytically supporting Total Force initiatives, strategy review and assessment and planning support. Work will be performed at Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,237,252 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force District of Washington Contracting Directorate, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Midwest Air Traffic Control Service Inc., Overland Park, Kansas, has been awarded an $8,410,622 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00013) to previously awarded contract N65236-14-D-4984 for aviation command and control operations and maintenance services. The contract modification adds five months and 20 days to the current task order. Work will be performed in the Air Force Central Command's area of responsibility and expected to be completed by Feb. 29, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated in the amount of $8,410,622 at the time of the award. The Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business

Toutes les nouvelles