Japan is converting its two existing helicopter carriers — the Izumo class — into fully-fledged aircraft carriers.

Recently, Japan unveiled modifications that Kaga, the second ship of the Izumo helicopter carrier, underwent to make it suitable for fighter operations. First inducted into the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in 2017, Kaga is the sister ship of Izumo, that was inducted in 2015.

The modifications are being done in phases that include applying a heat-resistant coating on the deck to protect it from the extremely high temperatures of jet blasts, apart from modifying the deck shape from the earlier trapezoid to rectangle design.

Japan plans to operate American-made F-35B jets, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the conventional F-35A jets from the ships, 42 of which are already on order.

Each ship will be able to operate at least 12 F-35B and 16 helicopters simultaneously.

Moreover, last month Japan loosened its policy restrictions, allowing exports of fighter jets to nations that have signed security pacts with Japan concerning defence equipment and technology transfers, marking a significant shift from its otherwise restrictive war-renouncing constitution.

Furthermore, indications that Japan might join the US-Australia-UK trilateral AUKUS program are gaining ground.

Although Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed rumours that Japan would join AUKUS, there are strong indications that it may be invited to be part of the second pillar of AUKUS, which entails cooperation for the development of high-end, cutting-edge technologies.

Notably, AUKUS has two pillars.

The first pillar is for the transfer of technology to develop and manufacture nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) for the Australian Navy, and the, second is for co-developing advanced technologies in fields such as Artificial Intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), cyberspace, and quantum mechanics.

Japan is expected to join the latter.

This shift in Japan's stance from pacifist to more outward-looking has raised serious concerns in Beijing.

The announcement of the completion of the first phase of modifications at Kaga has particularly caused some consternation among the Chinese, who believe these modifications violate the Japanese constitution, which does not allow the JMSDF to have aircraft carriers intended for attacking foreign countries.

The new modifications that allow the operations of the F-35B jets give JMSDF an option to conduct strike operations, if and when necessary.

Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)

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