On November 5 and 8, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) hosted two separate expert panels that focused on the imperative for Tokyo to develop “unmanned assets” to not only drastically reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities but also to radically strengthen the human resource base of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
November 5’s meeting, which addressed the JSDF’s human resources, included publication of an interim report by an expert panel that emphasized the need to “upgrade [JSDF] units through manpower reduction and automated operations using unmanned systems”.
Meanwhile a separate expert panel held on November 8 focused on “unmanned assets” in the context of the seven “pillars of defense capabilities” [1] that JMOD announced in 2022 as part of its five-year defense buildup program. The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) is now aiming to deliver key functions and equipment related to unmanned defense technology in support of the program.
Unmanned Systems & the Human Resources Base
November 5’s meeting noted pressing issues surrounding the recruitment of JSDF personnel, most notably a decreasing population and serious labor shortages in the country. As a result, the expert panel urged both JMOD and the JSDF to confront these problems directly and to quickly implement concrete measures.
The panel made three main overarching recommendations: 1) Make a JSDF career more attractive, including in terms of compensation, 2) make use of unmanned systems, and 3) utilize external resources, including the private sector.
Concerning unmanned systems, the experts recommended the review of current units being manned by JSDF personnel and the decommissioning of obsolete equipment. This is in light of significant changes as to how combat is being waged worldwide.
The panel first considered the extent to which reviews by JMOD will see a reduction in JSDF manpower requirements and a move toward unmanned systems.
The experts expect a reduction of required personnel of 2,400 from the Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), 260 from the Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and 520 from the Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
The expert panel approved of JMOD’s direction of travel, but emphasized the need for further efforts to meet personnel requirements in cyber and space.
The panel’s interim report particularly noted JMOD’s plans for fiscal year 2025 to procure unmanned aerial, maritime, and ground vehicles to address JSDF personnel shortfalls in key areas.
The panel recommended JMOD to advance manpower reduction measures through further adoption of unmanned systems in each branch of the JSDF.
Unmanned Systems and Drastic Reinforcement of Defense Capabilities
Meanwhile, November 8’s expert panel on defense capabilities noted a JMOD budget of 1 trillion yen (approx. 6.4 billion USD) for the acquisition of unmanned assets.
The panel’s agenda noted unmanned assets are needed for 1) ISRT (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting), 2) attack roles, and 3) support for combat operations on the land and sea, underwater, and in the air.
Special emphasis was on how unmanned systems are being leveraged in the war in Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia have been using FPV (first person view) drones to attack enemy trenches, armored vehicles, and soldiers. The effectiveness of the following two unmanned vehicles were noted:
- Ukraine-deployed “MAGURA V”: Ukraine’s domestically produced Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) that demonstrated success in sinking several vessels in Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
- Russia-deployed “HESA Shahed 131/136”: Iranian-made Unmanned Aerial Vessel (UAV) which, when combined with missiles, has been able to hinder Ukrainian defense industry and critical infrastructure.
The panel’s agenda cites the following six advantages of unmanned assets:
1) Long-term and continuous operational capabilities.
2) Small sized with low radar cross section (RCS).
3) Low operational risk (high maneuverability and can be used for dangerous missions and be operated in severe conditions).
4) Simultaneous use in large-scale operations (assuming AI capabilities).
5) Low cost.
6) Short lead time for combat deployment.
The agenda of the expert panel noted the following points as to how unmanned assets can drastically reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities:
● Introduce unmanned offensive assets to take into account their emergence in modern warfare.
● Use unmanned vehicles for combat support capabilities to take into account Japan’s large number of islands.
● Build a “flawless” ISRT (Intelligence, Surveillance Reconnaissance and Targeting) system to counter increased foreign military activity around Japan.
The agenda emphasizes, within JMOD’s Defense Buildup 5-year plan ending in FY 2027, the need to expand the use of unmanned assets and, within a 10-year period, to strengthen the JSDF’s ability to operate these assets simultaneously.
Conclusions
November’s two expert panels, one on “reinforcing the Human Resources Base of the MOD/SDF” and the other on the “drastic reinforcement of Japan’s defense
capabilities”, both conclude on the need to rapidly acquire unmanned assets.
Both panels make the point that unmanned vehicles can strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities amid a declining birthrate and represent a “trump card” against population decline.
As a result, it could be said that acquisition unmanned systems have a “dual-use” in both addressing the JSDF’s human resource base and radically strengthening Japan’s defense capability.
Note:
[1] JMOD’s seven pillars are: 1) Stand-off Defense Capabilities, 2) Integrated Air and Missile Defense Capabilities, 3) Unmanned Defense Capabilities, 4) Cross-Domain Operation Capabilities, 5) Command and Control and Intelligence-related Functions, 6) Mobile Deployment Capabilities / Civil Protection, 7) Sustainability and Resilience. https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/guideline/plan/pdf/program_en.pdf & https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/en/policy/pdf/defense_equipment_DSEI2023.pdf
Background Information:
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2024/11/05a.html
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2024/11/08a.html
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/meeting/kiban/pdf/20241105_01.pdf
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/meeting/drastic-reinforcement/pdf/bukai_siryo02_01.pdf
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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