Koizumi pushes arms sales to Australia, India in remilitarisation drive

Summary

Japanese Defence Minister Kinnosuke Koizumi is set to visit Australia and India from 17 to 21. He will hold talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on Australia's planned purchase of Japan's upgraded Mogami-class frigates. The project involves 11 ships, with the first three to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the first vessel delivered in 2029.

Koizumi will also hold trilateral talks with New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk. In India, he is scheduled to discuss defence equipment cooperation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, including the export of the 'Unicorn' stealth communication system. Military expert Zhang Junshe said Japan's arms sales push is an attempt to achieve 'remilitarisation' and should be a cause for vigilance among Asia-Pacific countries.

Commentary

Japan's push to sell arms to Australia and India is reshaping the Indo-Pacific security supply chain. The Mogami-class project, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, allots the first 11 vessels between Japan and Australia; should New Zealand follow suit, defence equipment in the South Pacific could form a Japan-Australia-New Zealand synergy, squeezing traditional US and European suppliers. Regional tensions have also raised shipping insurance and logistics costs, affecting NZ exports.

China's export controls on dual-use items have implications for Mitsubishi, and delivery delays could cast uncertainty over Australian and New Zealand naval modernisation. SMEs should watch for potential crowding-out effects on infrastructure and technology outsourcing from increased government defence spending, as well as the potential disruption of Asia-Pacific trade routes from fluctuating Sino-Japanese relations.

Keywords: Japan, Defence Minister, Kinnosuke Koizumi, Australia, India, arms sales, frigate, Mogami-class, remilitarisation, defence cooperation

Source: Global Times