The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), the largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, has strong comprehensive combat capability and plays a considerably deterrent role in national defense. It possesses some tanks and artillery more advanced than the U.S. army and all heavy equipment production lines are potentially dual-use, according to Du Wenlong, researcher of China's Academy of Military Sciences.
Japan attaches great importance to land battle equipment and mobile combat forces
Japan still attaches great importance to the development of ground forces while many other countries pay more attention to navy and air force.
Tank is the most important weapon in land battles and its mobility is a core requirement of modern warfare. The JGSDF’s Type 10 main battle tank weighs almost the same as foreign heavy infantry fighting vehicle and has greater mobility.
Japan is also developing high-mobility armored fighting vehicles with strong mobile and comprehensive combat capabilities. JGSDF has been equipped with US-made AH-1 attack helicopters and AH-64D heavy attack helicopters.
Japan attaches great importance to land battle equipment and mobile combat forces
Japan still attaches great importance to the development of ground forces while many other countries pay more attention to navy and air force.
Tank is the most important weapon in land battles and its mobility is a core requirement of modern warfare. The JGSDF’s Type 10 main battle tank weighs almost the same as foreign heavy infantry fighting vehicle and has greater mobility.
Japan is also developing high-mobility armored fighting vehicles with strong mobile and comprehensive combat capabilities. JGSDF has been equipped with US-made AH-1 attack helicopters and AH-64D heavy attack helicopters.
JGSDF plays a considerably deterrent role in national defense
With a total of 140,000 soldiers, the JGSDF has strong deterrence in national defense.
The JGSDF has made great efforts to enhance its force projection capability and mobility. Island offense and defense and small-scale military operations are core capabilities JGSDF tries to build.
Besides, JGSDF attaches great importance to overseas military operations and enhancement of its mobility, vigilance, and comprehensive combat capability. Cross-border operation and breaking the restrictions of the exclusively defense-oriented policy have become the trend of development.
Japan possesses tanks and artillery that are more advanced than U.S. weapons
Nowadays, JGSDF takes its place in the front ranks of the world. Some weapons the JGSDF possesses are more advanced than their U.S. counterparts.
Japan’s Type 90 tank is better than U.S. M1A1 tank in comprehensive performance. After absorbing the technology of U.S. MIA2 tank, Japan has developed the Type 10 tank which features a tremendous progress in performance.
With a total of 140,000 soldiers, the JGSDF has strong deterrence in national defense.
The JGSDF has made great efforts to enhance its force projection capability and mobility. Island offense and defense and small-scale military operations are core capabilities JGSDF tries to build.
Besides, JGSDF attaches great importance to overseas military operations and enhancement of its mobility, vigilance, and comprehensive combat capability. Cross-border operation and breaking the restrictions of the exclusively defense-oriented policy have become the trend of development.
Japan possesses tanks and artillery that are more advanced than U.S. weapons
Nowadays, JGSDF takes its place in the front ranks of the world. Some weapons the JGSDF possesses are more advanced than their U.S. counterparts.
Japan’s Type 90 tank is better than U.S. M1A1 tank in comprehensive performance. After absorbing the technology of U.S. MIA2 tank, Japan has developed the Type 10 tank which features a tremendous progress in performance.
The JGSDF’s anti-tank missiles can attack tanks, armored fighting vehicles and even small warships.
The JSGDF also has advanced pressing artillery. The M270 multiple rocket launchers outperform U.S. similar weapons in strike range, accuracy and power.
Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated
Du believes Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated. Almost all heavy equipment production lines are potentially dual-use. For example, Japanese car production lines can be easily converted to manufacturing fighting vehicles. No other countries in the world possess such huge war potential.
Japan is one of the world’s largest manufacturing economies. As the Japanese government gradually relaxes the Three Principles on Arms Exports, the arms export is likely to play an important role in improving the country’s economy in the future.
The JSGDF also has advanced pressing artillery. The M270 multiple rocket launchers outperform U.S. similar weapons in strike range, accuracy and power.
Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated
Du believes Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated. Almost all heavy equipment production lines are potentially dual-use. For example, Japanese car production lines can be easily converted to manufacturing fighting vehicles. No other countries in the world possess such huge war potential.
Japan is one of the world’s largest manufacturing economies. As the Japanese government gradually relaxes the Three Principles on Arms Exports, the arms export is likely to play an important role in improving the country’s economy in the future.
