Japan considers extra submarines in defence review
China's increasing maritime activities in waters off Japan may prompt Tokyo to procure additional diesel-electric attack submarines or extend the life of existing platforms.
The moves are being considered as part of the Japanese Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) continuing review of its National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG), which is scheduled to be completed towards the end of this year.
A spokeswoman from the MoD told Jane's on 21 October: "Whether the number of submarines will be increased or not will be considered as part of the deliberations [over the NDPG]. The revision of the submarine force by life extension could be considered as one of the options."
The MoD spokeswoman did not confirm or deny reports by Japanese news agency Kyodo that the MoD plans to increase the size of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF's) fleet of submarines from 16 to 22. Citing MoD officials, the news agency said that the NDPG review had determined that a bigger submarine fleet was necessary to reinforce vigilance in nearby waters.
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