The Japan government is considering exporting the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyer escort to Indonesian Navy. Negotiations on the export are underway with the Indonesian government. For Indonesian Navy, which has increasingly been vigilant against China’s vigorous expansion into the South China Sea, enhancing security cooperation with Japan through the deal would have some deterrent effects against Beijing. If struck, would provide momentum for Japan’s exports of defense equipment and help realize the country’s initiative to make the IndoPacific region free and open. Defense ministers of the two countries held a teleconference Monday. Last month, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga agreed with Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Bogor, near Jakarta, to accelerate bilateral talks on defense equipment exports and technology transfers.
Japan plans to export 4 destroyer escorts to Indonesia, and another 4 will be built in indonesia under ¥300 billion contract. The 30DX (also known as 30FF, 30FFM, or 30DEX) is a Japanese destroyer escort (multi-mission frigate) in development for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). But the export may be possible if it is made for the purpose of joint ship development with a foreign country. Senior officials of the JMSDF had visited Indonesia in late September with officials from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., the main manufacturer of the destroyer esccort. In August, the Japanese government allowed the export of its air defense radar to the Philippines, its first export of defense equipment. It is also proposing exports to Vietnam, Malaysia and India, believing the expansion of sales channels is important for maintaining the domestic defense industry.
The vessel has an overall length of 130 m, breadth of 16 m, a standard displacement of 3900 tons with a full load displacement of about 5500 tons, and a maximum speed of over 30 knots. Weapons include a Mk 45 gun, two remote weapon station above the bridge, 16 Mk 41 VLS at the bow, 8 anti-ship missiles, one SeaRAM, an SH-60L helicopter, torpedoes, and decoy launchers. It can also deploy and recover UUV, USV, and sea mines from the rear ramp beneath the helideck. It is also expected to use a naval version of the Type 03 Chū-SAM. The stealthy design of both models is based on the research and development from the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin stealth fighter technology demonstrator, as both platforms are designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The MHI stressed that this future frigate is:
– Stealthy (applying MHI’s radar and acoustic stealth technology),
– Smart (automated damage control system based on distributed sensors, ship ressource management and maneuver control)
– Scalable (modular compartment to accommodate the payload for greater mission requirements)
The goal of the programme is to come out with a vessel with similar or greater capabilities compared to the Akizuki-class of destroyers but on a smaller, smarter frigate design.