East China Sea: Japan’s plan to counter Beijing in Diaoyus with jetfighter upgrades hits money snag
- With Chinese government ships continuing to encroach on disputed islands, retrofitting of F-15s with cruise missiles takes on new urgency
- But analysts say the programme will miss the operational target date of 2027 because of funding shortfalls and indecisiveness over weaponry choices
Rising costs have significantly delayed Tokyo’s plans to deploy F-15 fighter jets capable of launching cruise missiles against ships or land targets, with Beijing’s ongoing activities close to disputed islands in the East China Sea underlining the importance of the new deterrent to the Japanese military.
A China Coast Guard ship was identified about 31km off Kubashima island on Monday, the Japan Coast Guard reported. A patrol vessel was shadowing the craft to ensure that it did not enter Japanese territorial waters, according to the Yomiuri newspaper.
Under international law, Japan’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles, or about 22km, from a coastline, with contiguous waters extending a further 12 nautical miles. Foreign vessels are permitted by law to enter a contiguous zone, although nations typically watch foreign-flagged ships very closely when they operate so close to their territorial waters.
Chinese ships have repeatedly entered the contiguous zone around the islands this year, as well as Japan’s territorial waters, ignoring demands that they leave the area.
The deployment of 20 F-15 fighters upgraded to carry anti-shipping or ground-attack cruise missiles was a key part of that plan, although that appears to have been put on hold due to cost issues.
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Diaoyu-Senkaku islands spat deepens as Japan warns China over coastguard ships in East China Sea