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TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. are considering increasing military cooperation with Australia by sharing submarine technology.
Australia currently owns six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, based on an old design. Their capabilities are limited, according to Japanese and Australian officials. To bolster its future naval capabilities, the Australian government is looking to introduce a next-generation submarine starting in around 15 years and roughly double the size of its submarine fleet eventually.
Canberra is interested in Japanese technology. Japan's diesel-electric submarines are respected, in particular because of the quietness of the screw and engine -- crucial requirements for military submarines. For weapons systems, such as torpedoes and cruise missiles, Australia has turned to the U.S.
Unprecedented
Japan and Australia agreed to jointly develop military equipment, including submarines, at a Nov. 12 summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his counterpart, Tony Abbott.
"The hurdle for cooperating with another country in anything related to submarines is high," Japanese officials noted. "It is on a different level to cooperation on fighter jets and warships."
Submarines are the most closely guarded military secrets among countries that own them. Their ability to move undetected can sway military balance. Even between Japan and the U.S., only a fraction of the information collected by submarines is shared. The two countries do not share any information on their submarines' current locations or capabilities.
Inside the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, "a submarine's location and route are not revealed to even the crew's families and their colleagues," according to a high-ranking officer.
Considering the high-level of secrecy surrounding submarines, providing technologies implies Japan and the U.S. place full trust in Australia, and are ready to become its closest allies. This extraordinary development has come about because of China's efforts to bolster its submarine fleet.
Chinese advances
China has 56 submarines, three times more than Japan, including five nuclear subs, according to the U.S. Defense Department.
A Chinese nuclear submarine was spotted in the Indian Ocean for the first time last December. A conventional Chinese sub was also sighted there in September.
This was a game changer for Japan, the U.S. and Australia. It was a given that Chinese submarines were lurking in the East and South China seas, but now, they have to consider their presence in the Indian Ocean, a crucial shipping lane.
The possibility of even a single Chinese submarine there means more subs and antisubmarine surveillance aircraft have to accompany military vessels passing through the waters, according to Japanese and U.S. defense officials.
Some analyses suggest the Chinese military will put into service its first submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 7,500km as soon as the end of the year. This will give China an ability to launch a nuclear attack on the U.S. mainland from under the sea. Such capability could threaten the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" and impact on national security issues in Japan and Australia as well.
In response, the U.S. decided in February to station one more Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine at its naval base in Guam. The total number of the attack subs based there will stand at four. But budgetary issues limit how much the U.S. Navy can do in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also unfeasible for Japanese submarines to frequently monitor the Indian Ocean on behalf of the U.S.
Sharing
Australia, which directly faces the Indian Ocean, is also located conveniently for monitoring the South China Sea. With enhanced submarine capabilities, Australia will be able to keep a close eye on those waters.
"Following technical cooperation in submarines, Japan, the U.S. and Australia will likely start working together in the operational arena," said Satoshi Morimoto, who served as defense minister under Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
"Australia will be in charge of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea," he added. "Japan will mainly handle the East China Sea. With the U.S. participating in and leading trilateral cooperation, it will be possible to effectively respond to movements of Chinese submarines."
It is unlikely the three countries are talking about such a deep level of cooperation at this stage. Nevertheless, it is a logical next step if the joint development of submarines goes ahead.
"This is serious," a Japanese government official in charge of national security said. "It lays all the cards on the table and ties the fate of our security situations as a group."
Asia tensions:Japan, US move toward joint submarine development with Australia- Nikkei Asian Review
Australia currently owns six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, based on an old design. Their capabilities are limited, according to Japanese and Australian officials. To bolster its future naval capabilities, the Australian government is looking to introduce a next-generation submarine starting in around 15 years and roughly double the size of its submarine fleet eventually.
Canberra is interested in Japanese technology. Japan's diesel-electric submarines are respected, in particular because of the quietness of the screw and engine -- crucial requirements for military submarines. For weapons systems, such as torpedoes and cruise missiles, Australia has turned to the U.S.
Unprecedented
Japan and Australia agreed to jointly develop military equipment, including submarines, at a Nov. 12 summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his counterpart, Tony Abbott.
"The hurdle for cooperating with another country in anything related to submarines is high," Japanese officials noted. "It is on a different level to cooperation on fighter jets and warships."
Submarines are the most closely guarded military secrets among countries that own them. Their ability to move undetected can sway military balance. Even between Japan and the U.S., only a fraction of the information collected by submarines is shared. The two countries do not share any information on their submarines' current locations or capabilities.
Inside the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, "a submarine's location and route are not revealed to even the crew's families and their colleagues," according to a high-ranking officer.
Considering the high-level of secrecy surrounding submarines, providing technologies implies Japan and the U.S. place full trust in Australia, and are ready to become its closest allies. This extraordinary development has come about because of China's efforts to bolster its submarine fleet.
Chinese advances
China has 56 submarines, three times more than Japan, including five nuclear subs, according to the U.S. Defense Department.
A Chinese nuclear submarine was spotted in the Indian Ocean for the first time last December. A conventional Chinese sub was also sighted there in September.
This was a game changer for Japan, the U.S. and Australia. It was a given that Chinese submarines were lurking in the East and South China seas, but now, they have to consider their presence in the Indian Ocean, a crucial shipping lane.
The possibility of even a single Chinese submarine there means more subs and antisubmarine surveillance aircraft have to accompany military vessels passing through the waters, according to Japanese and U.S. defense officials.
Some analyses suggest the Chinese military will put into service its first submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 7,500km as soon as the end of the year. This will give China an ability to launch a nuclear attack on the U.S. mainland from under the sea. Such capability could threaten the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" and impact on national security issues in Japan and Australia as well.
In response, the U.S. decided in February to station one more Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine at its naval base in Guam. The total number of the attack subs based there will stand at four. But budgetary issues limit how much the U.S. Navy can do in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also unfeasible for Japanese submarines to frequently monitor the Indian Ocean on behalf of the U.S.
Sharing
Australia, which directly faces the Indian Ocean, is also located conveniently for monitoring the South China Sea. With enhanced submarine capabilities, Australia will be able to keep a close eye on those waters.
"Following technical cooperation in submarines, Japan, the U.S. and Australia will likely start working together in the operational arena," said Satoshi Morimoto, who served as defense minister under Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
"Australia will be in charge of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea," he added. "Japan will mainly handle the East China Sea. With the U.S. participating in and leading trilateral cooperation, it will be possible to effectively respond to movements of Chinese submarines."
It is unlikely the three countries are talking about such a deep level of cooperation at this stage. Nevertheless, it is a logical next step if the joint development of submarines goes ahead.
"This is serious," a Japanese government official in charge of national security said. "It lays all the cards on the table and ties the fate of our security situations as a group."
Asia tensions:Japan, US move toward joint submarine development with Australia- Nikkei Asian Review
