In light of North Korea’s repeated missile launches, the Defense Ministry has decided to include 47.2 billion yen for the procurement of the new SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missiles for installation on Aegis ships in its budget requests for FY2018. A request for the procurement of the land-based Aegis Ashore systems developed by the U.S. will also be included without entering a specific amount, as the cost is to be determined by the end of 2017.
Main items in the Defense Ministry’s budget requests (in billions of yen)
|
Land-based Aegis Ashore systems and other new equipment |
TBD |
|
Construction of two destroyers with countermine warfare capabilities |
96.4 |
|
Construction of submarines with upgraded detection capabilities |
71.5 |
|
Procurement of six F-35A fighters |
88.1 |
|
Procurement of four Ospreys |
45.7 |
|
Procurement of Global Hawk drones |
14.4 |
|
Development of warning and control radars for detection of stealth aircraft |
19.6 |
|
Technical research on high velocity glide bombs for island defense |
10.0 |
|
Technical research on anti-ship missiles for island defense |
7.7 |
|
Procurement of new interceptor missiles for Aegis ships |
47.2 |
(Abridged)
