Japan and Germany to jointly develop military technologies

[Zarvan]

Collaboration is expected to take place on the new Komatsu 8x8 armoured personnel carrier. Source: Japanese MoD
Key Points

• New accord will facilitate two countries’ first modern-era collaboration on military technologies
• Agreement expected to support Tokyo’s efforts to develop engines for military vehicles

Japan and Germany have signed an inter-government agreement to co-operate on military equipment and underlying technologies, Jane’s has learnt.

The agreement is regarded as significant, given the two countries’ lack of modern-era military ties and sensitivities over related technological collaboration. It is for these reasons that neither country has yet to fully publicise the new accord.

However, a spokesperson from the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) confirmed to Jane’s on 21 July that a Japan-Germany defence equipment and technology agreement was signed recently and that the two countries are currently exploring focus points for collaboration.

Once the terms of co-operation are finalised, Japan and Germany’s military research agencies are expected to undertake a joint development programme, with support provided by the two countries’ defence industries.

“[Japan and Germany] are considering all kinds of possibilities for defence equipment and technology co-operation,” said the ATLA spokesperson. “Nothing specific has been fixed yet.”

The Federal Ministry of Defence in Germany has been contacted for a response but, at the time of going to press, had not yet responded.

Jane’s understands that the defence accord was signed in Berlin by representatives of the two countries’ defence ministries.

It is also understood that the two countries will look to use the accord as a framework for collaboration on the joint development of land systems, particularly engines for military vehicles including a new 8x8 armoured personnel carrier (APC) currently being developed by Japanese corporation Komatsu.

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http://www.janes.com/article/72540/japan-and-germany-to-jointly-develop-military-technologies