The
content carried in an article
of March 22, 2015 from the Reuters Tokyo
office has been reproduced
in the Australia media. The Reuters article reported: “The no-show by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries [MHI] and Kawasaki Heavy Industries [KHI] at an event called Australia's Future Submarine Summit, held amid intensifying
competition for the deal, exposes a potential weak link in Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe's more muscular security agenda: Japan Inc.”
It is significant that two retired Japanese Vice Admirals, Masao Kobayashi and Yoji Koda (details of each below) are attending
the Summit and are due to speak on March 26, 2015 - both are advisers to Japan's National Security Council. Some Australian newspapers (such as the Herald
Sun drawing on The Adelaide Advertiser) did mention the Japanese Admiral’s
attending.
Perhaps officers from the
Japanese Consulate, Adelaide and Japanese Embassy, Australia will also attend? The presence of the retired Japanese admirals who still advise the Japanese Government clearly indicates that Japanese bilateral relationship-alliance with Australia is Japan’s main submarine sale strength. Japan's approach at present seems to rely less on commercial approaches given the absence of MHI and KHI. This is in contrast to France and Germany’s more commercial approach
– though German
government representatives will also be present in Adelaide.
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF THE RETIRED JAPANESE ADMIRALS
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF THE RETIRED JAPANESE ADMIRALS
Vice
Admiral Masao KOBAYASHI, JMSDF (Retd) photo (above) courtesy Sub Summit
Maseo is now an adviser to Japan's National Security Council. Biodata: "Masao
graduated from the Japanese Defense Academy in 1973 and commenced a career in
the JMSDF submarine service. He had held many posts in the submarine force.
Shore billets included Submarine Branch Head in the Ship Systems Section in the
Maritime Staff Office and Operations Officer in the Fleet Submarine Force. He
has commanded TAKASHIO SS-571, (Uzushio class), and has been the Commander of
Submarine Division Two. In 2001/2 he was the Commander of Submarine Flotilla
One, and was Coordinator of Exercise at sea for Pacific Reach 2002. Masao’s
last post was as Commander of the Fleet Submarine Force. He retired from the
MSDF in 2009. Vice Admiral KOBAYASHI served with distinction in the Japanese
Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and is well regarded as an authourity in
the submariner community." See Kobayashi's comments on submarines to the Japanese press - reported January 18, 2015.
---
Vice Admiral Yoji KODA, JMSDF (Retd) - photo (above) courtesy Sub Summit
Yoji is Maseo is also an adviser to Japan's National Security Council. Biodata: "Yoji is a
graduate of the Japanese Defense Academy in 1972, the JMSDF Staff College, and
the US Naval War College. As a Surface Warfare Officer, he has commanded JS
SAWAYUKI (DD-125), Flotilla Three and Fleet Escort Force at sea. Yoji’s shore
duties include tours as Director General (DG) for Plans and Operations,
Maritime Staff and Director-General of the Joint Staff. He retired from the
JMSDF as Commander in Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, in 2008. Following retirement
from active duty, he was invited to join the Asia-Center, Harvard University as
a research fellow researching the US-Japan Alliance and the Chinese Navy during
2009/11. Yoji is a prolific writer on maritime and strategic subjects in both
Japanese and English, and his most recent articles include “A new Carrier Race [large PDF file]”
and “The Russo-Japanese War” published by the US Naval War College. He
contributed to “Refighting the Pacific War (an Alternative History of World War
II)” published by the US Naval Institute in 2011. He is currently an advisor to
National Security Agency. Vice Admiral Koda served with distinction in the
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and his body of academic subject
matter speaks for itself."
Admiral Koda, in late March 2015, raised the possibility that most of Australia's possible Soryus might be built in Australia. However there has been little or no discernable support in the Japanese government, military, MHI or KHI for this approach.
Admiral Koda, in late March 2015, raised the possibility that most of Australia's possible Soryus might be built in Australia. However there has been little or no discernable support in the Japanese government, military, MHI or KHI for this approach.
Pete
MHI and KHI are big companies, but they are still subcontractors of Japanese Ministry of Defence (JMD) in the case of submarine building. In JMD, Techical Research and Development Institute develops weapons and commissions research support to pivate sectors, and based on these results, Equipment Procurement and Construction Office makes ship building contract with private sectors. So I think that many important intellectual properties (except Stirling AIP) belong to JMD.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous
ReplyDeleteLike JMD's Equipment Procurement and Construction Office the US have a similar arrangement. Like the two submarine builders (KHI and MHI) the US has two Virginia SSN builders. The powerful US submarine purchasing arm with much knowledge and experience owes much to Admiral Rickover's long management.
It would probably be good for Australia if Japan-JMD owned most of the intellectual property rights - including for the diesel engines and electric motors.
Regards
Pete