YURI MOMOI, Nikkei China bureau chief   GUANGZHOU — China showed off cutting-edge aircraft ranging from next-generation fighter jets to the latest drones at its biggest air show, shining the spotlight on the country’s high-end military technology amid mounting tensions with Washington.   China watchers and military experts were particularly focused on this year’s China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also….Read more

On Oct. 1, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) launched a new firm called Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems Co. in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture. The new firm will handle the naval and governmental ships business that MHI acquired from Mitsui E&S Holdings Co. The new company will carry out operations at Tamano Works, which it rents from Mitsui E&S. (Abridged)

By Tsuru Shingo   The Tokyo Metropolitan Police sent papers to prosecutors on an owner of a small factory in Tokyo’s Shitamachi [old downtown] area on a charge of attempting to export to China a motor device that can be used for military purposes. The owner, a man in his 90’s, has operated the factory for nearly 50 years, exporting….Read more

Saturday’s Asahi alleged that final coordination is underway between Japan and the UK to jointly develop the engine for a new Japanese fighter that will succeed the aging ASDF F-2. IHI and Rolls Royce will probably be responsible for designing and manufacturing the engine for the jet that is expected to be rolled out by around 2035. Pointing out that….Read more

The Defense Ministry’s FY2020 central procurement (weapons and fuel purchases) included 420.2 billion yen contracted under Foreign Military Sales (FMS), which is the U.S. government’s weapons export system. The amount far exceeded contracts awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which ranked second.   This was revealed in a response recently given by the ministry to a question posed by Upper House….Read more

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer   JAKARTA — Indonesia aims to expand its submarine fleet by as much a triple its current line up to 12 vessels, multiple defense sources here say, just a month after one of its subs was determined to be lost, killing its entire crew of 53.   The move comes in response to repeated Chinese incursions into….Read more

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writer   TOKYO — The U.S. and Japan showcased the strength and unity of their alliance during last week’s summit, but one particular sentence in the joint leaders’ statement that followed the meeting conceals a sore spot in the relationship.   The document said that Japan “resolved to bolster its own national defense capabilities.” This commitment includes modernizing the Air….Read more

ANNU NISHIOKA, Nikkei staff writer   TOKYO — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on Monday announced an agreement to acquire the foundering naval and government shipbuilding operations of compatriot Mitsui E&S Holdings, and signaled that it is hungry for more.   The acquisition, estimated at 5 billion yen ($46 million), will give Japan’s largest defense contractor a 54% share of the country’s….Read more

Asahi, Mainichi, and Yomiuri reported that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has decided to purchase the warship construction and repair division of Mitsui E&S Holdings with the goal of expanding its business dealings with the Defense Ministry. With this acquisition, the leading defense contractor plans to build more supply ships for the MSDF and cutters for the Japan Coast Guard.

TOKYO — Japanese aerospace equipment maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries and electronics company NEC will join the country’s next-generation fighter jet program, Nikkei has learned. The program, overseen by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and supported by Lockheed Martin, aims to develop multirole fighter jets capable of attacking land and sea targets as well as engaging in aerial combat. The government seeks to….Read more