SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Japanese Ministry of Defense executives have outright admitted that despite the Japanese government's past denials that the Izumo class "helicopter destroyers" were not designed to accommodate fixed-wing short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) tactical jets, they actually were designed with exactly that in mind.
The Asahi Shimbun quoted Maritime Self Defense Force sources stating the following:
"It is only reasonable to design (the Izumo) with the prospect of possible changes of the circumstances in the decades ahead... We viewed that whether the Izumo should be actually refitted could be decided by the government."
When the Izumo first entered service, the vessels' ominous profile and massive proportions led many, including the author, to allege that these vessels were intended to one day carry fixed-wing tactical jets. It also wasn't really clear why the country would need larger vessels than the Hyuga class helicopter destroyers already in production if they weren't going to gain more offensive capabilities. Although they have amphibious capabilities, Japan's helicopter carriers are traditionally more focused on anti-submarine warfare.
Asahi Shimbun's sources went on to say that a consensus was privately reached among the service's leadership that the Izumo class would be designed for conversion into a fixed-wing capable aircraft carrier in the future but the Japanese government would deny this due to the issues surrounding violating Article Nine of the Japanese constitution.
[...] The justification of Japan's military posture, and the weaponry that supports it, all comes down to how one interprets "self defense" as per the Japanese constitution, but really, things have been rapidly changing for Japan when it comes to morphing its military into a far-reaching force with substantial offensive punch.
[...] Considering that Japan is looking to arm itself with long-range cruise missiles and more capable fighters in the near term, a fixed-wing capable Izumo and her sister ship Kaga won't be far behind, ushering in a new era of power projection for Japan the likes of which the world has not seen since the end of World War II.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday March 05 2018, @06:06AM
Don't be so very certain that our military is the "best" or "most powerful" today. Things are changing. We have only fought proxy wars for the past several decades, and we had our asses handed to us in Vietnam. Sure, we can still bully third world dysfunctional countries, no problem - but we haven't faced off with a major power.
Things change, and change is not always good. For instance, we hear our Navy whining today when Russian pilots and ship masters come close. You didn't hear that during the Cold War. We had nerves of steel, and ice water in our veins, back then. Today? Excitable little boys feel the need to notify the media if the Ruskies come close enough to shout insults.
If the military wants to remain "the best", then they need to grow up, and act like the best.