On October 29, Japanese shipbuilder Naikai Zosen Corporation launched the first Landing Craft Utility (LCU) on order for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and is to be used by a maritime transport unit to enable rapid and reliable at-sea transport of JGSDF troops and equipment to Japan’s remote southwestern Nansei island chain.
The JGSDF explained in a press release explained that the LCU, named the Nihonbare (4151), will be “operated by the SDF Maritime Transport Group (tentative name), joint unit of the three SDF services, which is scheduled to be newly established by the end of this fiscal year”.
The unprecedented joint-service group, in which an individual JGSDF unit will be expected to operate sea-borne vessels and work jointly with the Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), is to be located in the Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) expects that this ‘SDF Maritime Transport Group’ will deploy a total of ten vessels by the end of fiscal 2027. The Nihonbare is to be joined by three additional small-sized LCUs, two medium-sized transport Logistics Support Vessels (LSVs), and four high-speed Maneuver Support Vessels (MSVs).
The Nihonbare cost about 4.1 billion yen ($27 million) to construct, has a 2,400-ton displacement and is approximately 80 meters long. The small-sized vessel can reach a speed of at least 15 knots, can carry 12 vehicles or a dozen 20-foot containers. The LCU is expected to carry a crew of about 30 and to be able to both dock at ports on shallow remote islands and land on sandy beaches.
Japan’s LCUs are to “be employed to transport troops and supplies to ports in shallow islands” and ensure that this is achieved swiftly. Their acquisition is being expected by the JGSDF to “contribute to strengthening the island defense system” in the Nansei chain, which is close to Taiwan and includes the Senkaku Islands.
Nevertheless, it is the four prospective MSVs that are expected to form the core of the SDF Maritime Transport Group and these are envisioned to to be capable of offloading GSDF High-Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) directly onto shore.
Tuesday’s naming and launching ceremony for the Nihonbare LCU took place at the Setoda Shipyard in Hiroshima Prefecture and was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defense ONIKI Makoto who cut the rope to allow the ship to slide down into the sea.
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Background Information:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20241029/k10014622571000.html
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/10/japan-launches-first-lcu-for-the-sdf-maritime-transport-group
https://nsbt-japan.com/u/admin01/j1ti2fnbwwerrc
https://www.facebook.com/jgsdf.fep
This article was originally posted on NSBT Japan, the first defense and security industry network in Japan. The publication provides the latest information on security business trends both within Japan and overseas. Asian Military Review began exchanging articles with NSBT Japan in April 2024.
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