Japan deploys aircraft carrier in Indo-Pacific for 4 months

In a notice posted on the social network Twitter, the Japanese Ministry of Defense said that the JMSDF will deploy operations in the Indian region – Pacific from June 13 to October 28. This is called the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2022 (IPD2022).

According to the Japanese Ministry of National Defense, IPD2022 has two goals: “to enhance the tactical capabilities of the Japanese navy and to strengthen cooperation with partner navies in the Indo-Pacific region through exercises common battle; the second is to contribute to the peace and stability of the region as well as to enhance mutual understanding with other countries”.

The deployment will include ships such as the destroyer JS Izumo, the destroyers JS Takanami and JS Kirisame, and a submarine. There are also airborne units, including P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.

The helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) docked at the Malaysian port of Klang. Photo: USNI

JMSDF units will visit ports in 12 countries and territories, including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu in the South Pacific, as well as “Quad” members, the United States. , India and Australia.

The JMSDF will also participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise RIMPAC 2022 (June 29 to August 4).

The JMSDF has been carrying out an annual Indo-Pacific Deployment Operation since 2019. However, a senior Japanese Defense Ministry official commented: “The passage of MSDF ships through the Thai island nations Binh Duong is extremely unusual.

According to the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbunthe deployment was announced by the MSDF as part of the Japanese government’s efforts to thwart efforts to expand Chinese influence in the region.

China has just signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands. This is believed to be an attempt to increase Beijing’s presence in strategic competition with Washington.

Two helicopter carriers Kaga (front) and Izumo at the port of Yokohama, near Tokyo. Photo: Kyodo

Yomiuri Shimbun said Tokyo is seeking to boost trust with countries in the Indo-Pacific through joint exercises.

For a long time, Japan has always wanted to upgrade the Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into real aircraft carriers to cope with Beijing’s military activities in the Pacific.

Concerning Pacific island nations, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party convened a project group on Pacific island nations from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The group held its first meeting on June 1. The group is expected to draft a proposal this fall calling on the government to expand security cooperation with Pacific island nations.