SDF dispatch to Middle East How to use weapons?

SDF dispatch to Middle East How to use weapons? Dec 27, 17:40

In order to strengthen the information gathering system necessary for ensuring the safety of ships related to Japan in the Middle East, the government decided to dispatch a SDF destroyer and patrol aircraft as a Japanese initiative at a Cabinet meeting on the 27th. What about specific tasks and activities?

The dispatch of the SDF to the Middle East, which was decided by the Cabinet, differs from the currently active piracy countermeasures off Africa and Somalia in terms of its mission and the grounds for its dispatch.

The activity range is three areas

The scope of this activity is the Gulf of Oman between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, the northern part of the Arabian Sea to the south, and the Gulf of Aden between the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia Africa.

One escort ship and two patrol aircraft are operating in the Gulf of Aden in anti-piracy measures, but the range of activity is greatly expanded, and another escort ship will be dispatched.

New escorts will operate in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea, but will not include the Strait of Hormuz, which is closer to Iran, and the Persian Gulf beyond.

In the Gulf of Aden, P3C patrol aircraft dispatched to combat piracy based in Djibouti, Africa will also be active.

The mission is to collect information necessary for ship safety

The mission in the Middle East this time is to collect information necessary to ensure the safety of ships related to Japan.

According to officials of the Ministry of Defense, it is necessary to collect information on the types and courses of vessels that perform suspicious movements, especially when navigating with the system called AIS, which informs the location of the vessels, turned off.

On the other hand, it says that there is no immediate need for protection of ships related to Japan, and escort of ships being carried out in anti-piracy is not included in the mission.

The grounds for dispatch are "survey and research"

The basis for the overseas dispatch this time was the existing framework of "survey and research" under the Ministry of Defense Establishment Act.

When dispatching the SDF overseas for anti-piracy measures and refueling activities conducted in the Indian Ocean since 2001, new legislation was established based on deliberations at the Diet.

This time, when extending the activity period, the Cabinet will make a decision again and report to the Diet, but the issue is how the check function works.

Restricted to weapon use

During the activities based on the "Investigation and Research" of the Ministry of Defense, the Self-Defense Forces can only use weapons to protect their own ships and aircraft from attack by opponents.

Even if there is an attack on a ship related to Japan, we cannot immediately cope with weapons.

If such an unforeseen situation occurs and is deemed necessary, the SDF will issue a "Maritime Security Action" to respond.

While maritime security operations allow the use of weapons to stop an opponent, the use of weapons that cause harm to the opponent is only permitted for "right defense" and "emergency evacuation."

The protection is limited to vessels related to Japan, and the difference is that escort activities under the Anti-Piracy Act cover all vessels, including foreign-registered vessels.

In the case of an attack on a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz in June, the United States and others have pointed out the involvement of Iran and the Iranian "Revolutionary Guard". The use of weapons goes beyond maritime security operations.

Dispatch escort ship "Takanami"

This time, the escort ship Takanami deployed at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Yokosuka Base will be dispatched to the Middle East.

It is approximately 150 meters long and can carry up to two patrol helicopters, and has been dispatched to fight piracy off the coast of Africa and Somalia.

According to officials from the Ministry of Defense, the commander of the first escort escort corps will be in command, and about 200 people, including HQ personnel, will be on board and engaged in activities.

After the beginning of the year, exercises will be conducted on the map, and various conditions will be set, such as what characteristics and movements of the ship should be especially watched, and if an unforeseen event should occur, in what cases and how much response is possible And then repeat the simulation.

And we will depart in early February and aim to start activities in February.