2015-10-24 According to the latest Japanese MoD budget request, both national and coalition capabilities need to be ramped up to deal with threats in the region.
Japan will build up its defense capabilities while focusing on the further enhancement of joint functions in order to seamlessly and dynamically fulfill its defense responsibilities, which include providing an effective deterrence and response to a variety of security situations, supporting stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as improving the global security environment.
Japan will place particular emphasis on the following measures: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities; intelligence capabilities; transport capabilities; command, control, communication, intelligence (C3I) capabilities; response to attacks on remote islands; response to ballistic missile attacks; response in outer space and cyberspace threats; response to large-scale disasters, etc.; and international peace cooperation efforts, etc.
One the priorities highlighted was the preparation to defend remote islands against attack.
In order to respond to attacks on remote islands, the MOD will develop continuous surveillance capabilities, ensure and maintain air superiority and maritime supremacy, enhance rapid deployment and response capabilities such as transportation and amphibious operation capabilities, and strengthen the infrastructure for C3I capabilities.
And this also includes air modernization as well.
Ensure and maintain air superiority
Acquisition of fighter aircraft (F-35A) (6 fighters: ¥103.5 billion*)
* ¥2.5 billion is allocated separately as the initial expense to promote industrial participation of domestic corporations.
* ¥29.4 billion is allocated separately for other related expenses (ground support equipment, etc.), of which ¥2.8 billion is allocated as expenses necessary for building up regional depot capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Upgrade of fighter aircraft (¥3.8 billion)
Upgrade capabilities of existing fighters to adapt to the modernization of the aerial combat capabilities of neighboring countries and to appropriately carry out air defense missions.
Improvement of air-to-air combat capability of fighter aircraft (F-2) (11 fighters).
Upgrade of fighter aircraft (F-2) by equipping JDCS (F) (4 fighters). *JDCS (F) (Japan self defense force Digital Communication System (for fighters))
Shifting the posture of fighter squadrons, etc.
Shift the posture of fighter squadrons to develop readiness for ensuring air superiority, which is a prerequisite for realizing effective deterrence and responses to various situations, including strengthening of the defense posture in the southwestern region.
Deploy two fighter squadrons at Tsuiki Air Base, and relocate the F-4 unit at Nyutabaru Air Base and the F-15 unit at Hyakuri Air Base.
In order to enhance tactical skills of the ASDF, relocate the Tactical Fighter Training Group, which conducts research on combat maneuvers and trains relevant units, to Komatsu Air Base that is adjacent to a vast airspace.
Acquisition of new aerial refueling and transport aircraft (under source selection)
Acquire new aerial refueling and transport aircraft that will allow fighter squadrons, etc. to continuously execute various operations in the airspace surrounding Japan.
New aerial refueling and transport aircraft (picture of current KC-767)
Additional installment of aerial refueling functions to transport aircraft (C-130H) (¥1.2billion)
Acquire upgrade components necessary for additional installment of aerial refueling functions to the rescue helicopter (UH-60J), in order to ensure adequate scope and time for search and rescue activities when responding to attacks on remote islands, etc.
Transport aircraft with aerial refueling
Acquisition of rescue helicopters (UH-60J) (8 helicopters: ¥35.4 billion) ・Develop posture that can adapt to the decreasing number of the ASDF UH-60J, maintain and strengthen rescue readiness, and effectively respond to various situations.
Steadily procure 8 UH-60J by bulk procurement with the MSDF SH-60K (17 aircraft) through a long-term contract, and reduce procurement cost.
Acquisition of Type-11 short-range surface-to-air missile (1 set: ¥4.1 billion)
http://www.mod.go.jp/e/d_budget/pdf/271016.pdf
Japanese Fy 2016 Budget Request