Japan To Build Its Largest-Ever Multipurpose Patrol Boat To Counter China In South China Sea

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has revealed plans to build the largest-ever multipurpose patrol boat.

The ambitious initiative intends to improve Japan’s maritime capabilities, particularly against Chinese ships that often trespass into Japanese territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The vessel will be larger than any JCG ships currently in service and will operate as an offshore base capable of performing various operational tasks.

According to Coast Guard insiders, the new vessel will have astonishing features, such as the ability to accommodate three helicopters and dozens of high-speed rubber boats.

Government records reveal that the 200-meter-long vessel will have a gross tonnage at least three times greater than the largest patrol vessel in the JCG fleet currently.

The vessel construction plan, included in the budget request for fiscal 2025, intends to make the vessel operational by fiscal 2029, with plans for a second ship.

The program’s main objective is to strengthen Japan’s capabilities to oppose China’s forceful behaviour in the East China Sea, particularly near the Senkaku Islands.

Japanese government officials have expressed concern about future Chinese invasions of the islands, speculating that such incursions could involve a landing force formed of numerous small vessels.

The multipurpose petrol vessel will be strategically positioned to deploy smaller vessels while maintaining a strong deterrent presence.

A government source highlighted the importance of this enhanced capability, adding that understanding the difficulty of acquiring land boosts the power of deterrence against potential aggressors.

Apart from its defensive capabilities, the vessel will be used for disaster relief and evacuation missions, highlighting its importance in guaranteeing the safety and security of Japanese nationals.

The vessel might rescue people from isolated islands near Taiwan in an emergency.

The construction of the new patrol vessel aligns with Japan’s overall objective of improving coordination between its self-defense forces and the JCG in response to security threats and humanitarian crises.

In 2023, the Japanese government issued rules establishing processes for collaboration between the two bodies, emphasizing the JCG’s specific missions, such as resident evacuation and search and rescue operations at sea.

While the project has prompted internal controversy within the Coast Guard, with concerns about resource allocation and the risk of offending China, it is widely seen as a necessary step toward strengthening Japan’s maritime security capabilities.

Reference: Eurasian Times, The Japan News

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