Japan’s defence export hits Manohar Parrikar bump

NEW DELHI: Japan’s plans to export its first military equipment to India may have hit a gentle bump, with the defence ministry asking the Navy to review, among other projects, the operational requirement of the ShinMaywa US 2 amphibious aircraft that has been under discussion for purchase by the Navy since 2011. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar discussed acquisition plans for the aircraft with his counterparts in Japan during a visit last week. While the ministry is believed to be positive on the project, a report on the necessity and scope of operations of what would be the Navy’s only amphibious platform has been requested. The review, it is believed, is part of a larger task given by Parrikar to the forces to come up with priorities for modernisation.

Parrikar has made it clear that the ambitious acquisition plans drawn up by the armed forces in the past few years under the previous UPA government have not been very realistic, given that finite resources are available to the defence ministry for modernisation. The lack of resources has left several major projects stuck in the pipeline and Parrikar is keen for a fresh list of priorities that need to be taken up first.

The review of the $1.2 billion (about 7,440 crore) project, which was first brought up by Japan in October 2011, will involve the Navy and Coast Guard coming up jointly with a report on what the US 2 will achieve in terms of enhancing operational abilities. While the project is eventually expected to go ahead – it is part of a bilateral partnership statement between the two nations and has a firm blessing from the leadership of both nations – a fresh perspective could be taken on the numbers involved.