JMSDF warship to join naval exercise in South China Sea

Discussion in 'China & Far East' started by Nihonjin1051, 45 minutes ago.

45 minutes ago#1

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A Japanese warship is to take part in a multinational exercise in the South China Sea for the first time, but officials in Tokyo insist the Kunisaki's involvement is purely in a disaster-relief capacity.

The Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) ship left the US Navy's Yokosuka Base, southwest of Tokyo, yesterday.

The Kunisaki is due to arrive in Vietnam next Friday for 11 days of exercises.

The ship will be used to transport as many as 140 US and Australian troops that are also taking part in the Pacific Partnership drills, which were first held in 2007 and are led by the US.

It is the largest number of foreign troops that an MSDF vessel has transported as part of the annual exercises.

The 9,000-tonne Kunisaki is officially categorised as a tank landing ship.

"Our participation is based on a peacekeeping and international disaster-relief scenario," a spokesman for Japan's Ministry of Defence said. "It is not a military exercise. The aim is to enhance our capabilities in providing medical care and transportation facilities."

After taking part in the drills off Vietnam, the Kunisaki will go on to Cambodia for nine days from June 19 and the Philippines from July 4 to 15.

The joint exercises are ostensibly disaster-relief drills, but it will not have gone unnoticed in the region that they bring together several nations locked in territorial disputes with China.

"This will be taking place in a region that is very sensitive at the moment," said Masayuki Masuda, a China expert at Japan's National Institute of Defence Studies.

"But the feeling is that China cannot express any opposition because these vessels are practicing the provision of humanitarian assistance in the event of a natural disaster or some other form of crisis.

"While this is not a traditional war-based scenario, it does also serve to make clear the multinational support that exists in the region and our efforts to ensure regional security."

Japanese warship to join exercise in South China Sea | South China Morning Post

A little more information about the JDS Kunisaki:

Kunisaki is a Ōsumi class LST of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The ship was built by Hitachi, Maizuru and commissioned into service on 26 February 2003.

The Ōsumi class LST (おおすみ型輸送艦), is a Japanese amphibious transport dock. The class is also known as theOosumi class. While the JMSDF describes the Ōsumi class as tank landing ships, they lack the bow doors and beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs. Functionally, their well deck makes the Ōsumi class more like a dock landing ship (LSD)

39 minutes ago#2

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Drills of this kinds with the Japanese, Americans, and Australians will help improve Vietnam's capabilities and confidence.

34 minutes ago#3

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Bastion-P said: ↑

Drills of this kinds with the Japanese, Americans, and Australians will help improve Vietnam's capabilities and confidence.

Its prime importance is to develop interoperability between Japanese maritime forces and with our American, and Australian partners in the Asia-Pacific-Oceania areas of interest.

Bastion-P said: ↑

Drills of this kinds with the Japanese, Americans, and Australians will help improve Vietnam's capabilities and confidence.

in future exercises, naval vessels from the Philippines and Vietnam could participate in this hypothetical humanitarian-based mission.

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27 minutes ago#4

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Nihonjin1051 said: ↑

Its prime importance is to develop interoperability between Japanese maritime forces and with our American, and Australian partners in the Asia-Pacific-Oceania areas of interest.

If the past, Vietnam was reluctant to participate in military exercises as we didn't want China to think that we would ally with any third party to fight them. Although the principle of non-alliance is still there, things started to change from now on when our interest is violated by the aggressive China, an irresponsible super power. We are open to counter-measures to stop China's bullying.

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Bastion-P said: ↑

If the past, Vietnam was reluctant to participate in military exercises as we didn't want China to think that we would ally with any third party to fight them. Although the principle of non-alliance is still there, things started to change from now on when our interest is violated by the aggressive China, an irresponsible super power. We are open to counter-measures to stop China's bullying.

These exercises will help participating powers to develop interoperability with each other. It develops communication and establishes SOP for contingencies. It doesn't necessarily have to be about neutralizing a particular power, it allows participants develop SOP for major humanitarian calamities / disaster relief operations.

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Nihonjin1051 said: ↑

These exercises will help participating powers to develop interoperability with each other. It develops communication and establishes SOP for contingencies. It doesn't necessarily have to be about neutralizing a particular power, it allows participants develop SOP for major humanitarian calamities / disaster relief operations.

I didn't mean neutralizing any power for this drill. Just meant we are now more open to opportunities of military exercises.
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Bastion-P said: ↑

I didn't mean neutralizing any power for this drill. Just meant we are now more open to opportunities of military exercises.

Thanks for the clarification. And yes, its important to diversify @Bastion-P . Vietnam is a developing and rapidly growing regional power with a population that will soon hit 100 million. I really believe it will serve Vietnam's national interest to further develop relations and cooperation with not other great powers. It is evident that Vietnam has a strong relationship with the Russian Federation, but its always good to diversify your partnerships.