Japan, Britain agree on joint development of defense arms
Source: Agencies |
April 11, 2012, Wednesday
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JAPAN and Britain agreed yesterday to develop defense weapons together in Tokyo's first such arrangement outside of its security alliance with the United States.
Japan has cooperated exclusively with the US on missile shield development and other equipment under their long-standing alliance. Easing its decades-long weapons export ban in December allowed Japan to extend the exception to other defense partners, including European nations and Australia.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his visiting British counterpart, David Cameron, agreed to cooperate in research, development and production of defense equipment. The leaders agreed to find at least one program as soon as possible in areas that will "contribute to both our countries' security and peaceful intent."
They did not elaborate on what kind of weapons would be developed. The Yomiuri newspaper quoted Cameron as saying that they might develop helicopters. Other media reports mentioned small equipment such as chemical weapons protective gear rather than firearms and fighter jets.
Noda and Cameron also agreed for their troops to hold joint exercises, and they raised concerns about uncertainty in East Asia and urged North Korea to abandon all nuclear and missile development programs just days ahead of its scheduled rocket launch.
Due to Japan's pacifist principles, Japanese-made weapons and their parts cannot be exported for use in global conflicts. The ban also restricts Japan and the defense partner to strictly controlled third-party transfer.
Japanese defense contractors have argued the arms export ban, dating to 1967, would hamper their competitiveness and access to technology. Officials have gradually modified the rules, and Japan has allowed supplying of weapons technology to the US and joint development of missile shields between the two allies.
Huge defense procurement cost has been a big concern. Officials hope that development and export of weapons parts by Japanese contractors will help to hold down costs.
Japan has cooperated exclusively with the US on missile shield development and other equipment under their long-standing alliance. Easing its decades-long weapons export ban in December allowed Japan to extend the exception to other defense partners, including European nations and Australia.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his visiting British counterpart, David Cameron, agreed to cooperate in research, development and production of defense equipment. The leaders agreed to find at least one program as soon as possible in areas that will "contribute to both our countries' security and peaceful intent."
They did not elaborate on what kind of weapons would be developed. The Yomiuri newspaper quoted Cameron as saying that they might develop helicopters. Other media reports mentioned small equipment such as chemical weapons protective gear rather than firearms and fighter jets.
Noda and Cameron also agreed for their troops to hold joint exercises, and they raised concerns about uncertainty in East Asia and urged North Korea to abandon all nuclear and missile development programs just days ahead of its scheduled rocket launch.
Due to Japan's pacifist principles, Japanese-made weapons and their parts cannot be exported for use in global conflicts. The ban also restricts Japan and the defense partner to strictly controlled third-party transfer.
Japanese defense contractors have argued the arms export ban, dating to 1967, would hamper their competitiveness and access to technology. Officials have gradually modified the rules, and Japan has allowed supplying of weapons technology to the US and joint development of missile shields between the two allies.
Huge defense procurement cost has been a big concern. Officials hope that development and export of weapons parts by Japanese contractors will help to hold down costs.
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