After being officially introduced in 2022 as part of its capability planning, the Japan Self-Defense Forces have now formally established their new Joint Maritime Transport Group. This joint unit will be composed of personnel and assets from both the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and will be based at Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Maritime Transport Group is part of an initiative outlined in the Defense Buildup Program, which was approved in December 2022 by Japan’s National Security Council and Cabinet. This program prioritizes improving mobile deployment capabilities in the country’s southwestern region through a new joint maritime transport unit within the Self-Defense Forces.
Growing concerns over a potential contingency in Taiwan have led Japan to enhance its transport capabilities for troop deployment, as well as the transfer of fuel, ammunition, supplies, and vehicles to frontline bases, particularly along the Nansei Islands chain. This chain extends approximately 1,200 kilometers from Kagoshima to Okinawa, reaching southwestward toward Taiwan and encompassing the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan.
In 2024, during the launch of a new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) amphibious transport vessel named Nihonbare, it was revealed that this vessel would be operated by the new group. Additionally, plans were announced to allocate at least ten transport vessels to the group by the end of 2028. These will include four general-purpose Landing Craft Utility (LCU) ships, two Landing Support Vessels (LSV), and four Maneuver Support Vessels (MSV). These amphibious transport vessels are specifically designed to carry troops and supplies to shallow-water islands.
Several months later, Japan launched the first Landing Support Vessel (LSV) of the new class. Named Yoko, the vessel measures 120 meters in length, has a draft of 4 meters, and displaces approximately 3,500 tons, making it larger than the LCU Nihonbare.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the initial unit of the Joint Maritime Transport Group will consist of 100 personnel assigned to the headquarters command, the 1st Maritime Transport Squadron, and the 2nd Maritime Transport Squadron, each with its own assigned transport vessels. While the unit is under the direct control of the Minister of Defense, its operational management falls under the JGSDF.
The Defense Buildup Program emphasizes not only the importance of rapid unit deployment but also the necessity of efficient transport means to ensure civil protection. In this regard, the document states: “To secure fast and reliable transport capabilities that enable the deployment of necessary units to repel an invasion in the southwestern islands, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will acquire various transport assets, such as transport ships (LSV, LCU, and maneuverable vessels), transport aircraft (C-2), tanker and transport aircraft (KC-46A, etc.), as well as transport and utility helicopters (CH-47J/JA, UH-2).”
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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