On the 3rd (local time), U.S. military personnel are participating in the Super Garuda joint exercise in Baturaja, South Sumatra Island, Indonesia. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Recently, countries around the world have been moving to strengthen their defense capabilities. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which drastically changed the security landscape in Europe, discussions on securing independent military power have been ongoing within the European Union (EU). Additionally, Japan has hinted at increasing its defense budget in response to China's military exercises surrounding Taiwan and is reportedly pushing forward with the introduction of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).
According to the Sankei Shimbun on the 14th, Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to include the necessary expenses for UGV acquisition in next year's budget request.
UGVs are vehicles that move on land without a human onboard. They autonomously act by surveying their surroundings through sensors or relay information to a remote operator. They are mainly used for tasks difficult for humans to perform and are also employed for transporting injured personnel and supplies. Militarily, they offer advantages such as reducing human casualties and enabling the use of manned-unmanned combined combat systems.
The newspaper reports that Japan's Ministry of Defense is considering using these UGVs as transport vehicles in combat zones. The Ministry plans to reflect the project costs in the budget request by the end of this month and proceed with detailed reviews. Research on Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) is also reportedly underway. Furthermore, there are reports that Japan is in final negotiations to jointly develop the next-generation fighter jet for the Air Self-Defense Force with the United Kingdom, scheduled for introduction in the mid-2030s.
Previously, the Japanese government indicated plans to significantly increase defense spending within the next five years, signaling military expansion. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also proposed raising Japan's defense budget from about 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 2%. At the end of last month, foreign media reported that the Japanese government decided to postpone setting the defense budget ceiling for the 2023 fiscal year.
Japan's military expansion moves are analyzed as a response to the increased geopolitical risks following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is also interpreted as reflecting Japan's determination to counter China's military power. Especially, with China recently initiating retaliatory exercises following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, national security importance appears to have grown.
On May 2nd (local time), Russian troops are standing guard in front of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southeastern Ukraine. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, voices calling for securing independent defense capabilities have also risen within the EU. Due to the Ukraine war, Russia's military threat has become a reality, causing changes in Europe's security landscape as well.
Former Slovak Prime Minister Mikul?? Dzurinda argued, "To control Russia's territorial ambitions in Europe and prevent Ukraine from becoming divided like the Korean Peninsula, the EU must strengthen its military power." He also stated, "By possessing a strong military, the EU must make President Putin understand that it can defend itself and its allies when necessary." He explained that strong military power forms the basis of strength at the negotiation table.
In fact, countries like France and Germany are reportedly seeking to enhance the EU's defense capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Europe should not rely on the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for its defense. He asserted, "We must decide to have a true European army to protect and survive Europe." Germany has effectively declared rearmament and begun increasing its military budget, also stating it will play a leading role in establishing an EU joint army.
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