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Japan Coast Guard Launches Newest SHUNKO-class Patrol Ship

Japan’s SHUNKO-class offshore patrol ships are coast guard vessels designed for protection of the country’s territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In particular, these ships are designed to support Japan’s claims of disputed islands and waters, including the Senkaku Islands. The three ships of this class measure 459 ft 4 in (140.0 m) with beams of 54 ft 2 in (16.5 m). Four diesel engines producing 35,500 bhp enable the class to reach top speeds of 25.5 knots and ranges of up to 20,000 nm (37,000 km). Two helicopters can be embarked. The ships are fitted with a 40-mm Bofors 70 gun and two 20-mm JM61 (Vulcan) Gatling guns. At least one water cannon allows the class to confront intrusive ships without over escalating.

The first ship was funded in 2016 and entered service in February 2020. The following two ships were commissioned in 2023, and a fourth is expected to enter service in 2026. The fourth ship, KANBAI, celebrated its launch last December, marking the next milestone in this Japan coast guard program.

Global Combat Air Program Makes Waves

The Japanese F-X fighter program (also known as the F-3) began as a Japanese-led program to replace the country's F-2s (scheduled for retirement in 2035). The program was prompted by a U.S. ban on exports of F-22 Raptors in 1997 to safeguard U.S. technology. As a result, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has been researching fighter jet technology since 2009.

However, on Dec. 9, 2022, the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy announced the Global Combat Air Program, a joint development project for a sixth-generation fighter aircraft that would replace the United Kingdom and Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoon and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s Mitsubishi F-2.

The aircraft is still in development. The aircraft is being developed jointly by the governments of Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. It is expected to enter service in 2035.

Burma Builds Largest Ever Indigenous Warship

The Burmese armed forces finished off last year with the launch of their largest-ever indigenously built warship, the KING THALUN. Beginning in March 2017, the 3,858-ton frigate was constructed with support for China and North Korea, and when commissioned will be the most advanced ship in Burma’s fleet. This ship is built with an angular stealth hull designed to reduce radar detection. A forward 76-mm gun and 16 vertical launch system (VLS) cells make the KING THALUN one of the most capable combatants in the country.

Check Out What Else is New

New updates in January include the U.S. T-1A Jayhawk trainer jet, C-5 Galaxy transport plane and Stingray light tank as well as the Russian SU-100 tank destroyer, Japanese F-X fighter jet and French Spexer radar family.

Naval updates include Japan’s SHUNKO-class offshore patrol ship, Norway’s SVALBARD-class arctic patrol ship, India’s NILGIRI-class frigate, Canada’s TRAVERSE-class small navigational aid tender, and Burma’s KING THALUN-class frigate.

Special Reports:

Indian Navy’s Triple Commissioning Signals Ambitious Future
Tom Freebairn

In a show of shipbuilding force, the Indian Navy commissioned three separate vessels at once on Jan. 15, in a ceremony at the state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai. The service inducted a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate. The event marked the first time three major naval combatant vessels had been commissioned together in the country’s history. The ceremony was overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave a speech to celebrate the milestone for India’s developing navy, lauding the incoming platforms and the effort behind them. The speech and the commissioning both offer key insights into India’s maritime defense goals and its emerging naval rivalry with China in the Indian Ocean. The lack of naval parity between the world’s two most populous nations has made maritime security and fleet growth major pillars of Prime Minister Modi’s defense policy. Read Tom Freebairn’s newest article on the Indian Navy’s emerging shipbuilding plans.

Drone Wars: Developments in Drone Swarm Technology
Aja Melville

In January 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces unveiled a new drone swarming program, developed by defense giant Saab. This cutting-edge software empowers soldiers to control up to 100 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) simultaneously. Testing of the software is scheduled for March 2025 during the Arctic Strike Exercise, and is expected to demonstrate the ability of the drones to adapt to reconnaissance, defense, and payload delivery tasks in complex environments. Conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, and the Middle East have already demonstrated the critical role of coordinated drones in modern warfare, highlighting their decisive impact on the battlefield. As NATO’s newest member, Sweden’s investment in UAS and drone swarm innovations marks a significant step forward in shaping the “Drone Wars” era, heralding a transformative chapter in the evolution of military strategy. Aja Melville’s latest article covers the exciting transformation of drone warfare.

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