via Cdr Salamander...
I knew that the Japanese, S. Korean and Singaporean Navies were all getting bigger and much more capable but I didn't factor in how much larger they are in comparison to their European counterparts.
Time to take a closer look and perhaps compare the lineups world wide.
Back on topic though; yes, the facts are clear.Though you can find +/- difference depending on source, definitions, and recent com/decom; here are the numbers:Royal Navy:Helicopter Carriers: 2Amphibious Ships: 2Destroyers: 7Frigates: 13Submarines: 6-SSN, 4-SSBNWell call that 24.Japanese Navy:Helicopter Carriers: 2 (technically 4, all of which are helicopter carrying destroyers. The SHIRANE Class of 2 are only half decks and are really just destroyers. HYUGA Class of 2 are no-kidding helicopter carriers. Two more much larger 19,500 ton ships on the way this decade as well).Amphibious Ships: 5Destroyers: 40Frigates: 6Submarines: 16-SSWell call that 67. If you are what Salamander defines as “major combatants” then you have 2.8 times, not 4x, but there are lots of ways to count. Perhaps they are looking at smaller ships as well. By either definition though, it should give one pause not only to reflect about the decline of the Royal Navy – but more importantly – the latent and potential power of the Japanese Navy.Anyone who has worked with the Japanese will agree with me as well that from a professional point of view, they are an exceptionally quality force.Here is the tie in.Did you catch this little memo?Japan’s Defense Ministry will request a second boost to its military budget, according to reports, just a day after the government announced the first Defense budget increase in 10 years.The boosts, although relatively modest compared with Japan’s overall defense spending, coincide with increasing tensions in the Asia Pacific region.Japan’s Defense Ministry intends to ask for 180.5 billion yen ($2.1 billion) from a government stimulus package – on top of an increase of more than 100 billion yen ($1.1 billion) to its military budget announced earlier this week – in order to upgrade its air defenses, according to the BBC..Good. Japan needs to continue to do this, and we should welcome the move as long overdue (though don’t get too excited, their larger budgetary problems are even greater than ours). Europe fades, Royal Navy withers … where can the USA look for its major partner at sea?We don’t have to look far. With the tweaks they are on the road to make in their Constitution – Japan is right there.Uh wow.
I knew that the Japanese, S. Korean and Singaporean Navies were all getting bigger and much more capable but I didn't factor in how much larger they are in comparison to their European counterparts.
Time to take a closer look and perhaps compare the lineups world wide.
