Japan increases defense budget, facing challenges from China.
(Baonghean.vn) - The Japanese Ministry of Defense is proposing an increase in military spending to protect the chain of islands that the country claims sovereignty over in the East China Sea.
 |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reviews the honor guard of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Photo: Reuters |
In a document submitted to the government on August 31, Japan's Ministry of Defense requested a 2.2% increase in military spending, allocating 5.09 trillion yen (US$42.38 billion) for the year beginning in April. If approved, this would be Japan's largest defense budget in 14 years.
According to the proposal document, the Japanese Ministry of Defense will purchase AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles designed by BAE Systems of the UK (BAES.L), F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp LMT.N, and Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft.
Other items will include Global Hawk drones, thermal batteries for missiles, helicopters, and other equipment that the Japanese military uses to defend its maritime territories. The money will be allocated to building and expanding military bases along the island chain.
China's military budget this year has increased by 10.1%, reaching 886.9 billion yuan ($138.37 billion), the second largest in the world after the United States. As China's military power grows, Japan is shifting from strengthening its northern border defenses against the threat from Russia to deploying more forces in the East China Sea and the Western Pacific.
Phuong Thao
(According to Reuters)
