Purchase Controversial, May Have Political Consequences

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has officially agreed to acquire an undetermined number of V-22 Osprey aircraft, as well as E-2D Hawkeye airplanes and Global Hawk unmanned systems.

The V-22 purchase was announced by the Japanese government on the MoD website Friday, and it may not be popular in Japan. Defense News reports that the Bell-Boeing aircraft has been controversial in that county after it was involved in several accidents shortly after its entry into service. A recent appearance of the aircraft at a recent tsunami drill drew a crowd of protesters, according to the report.

The Osprey purchase may prove to be politically costly to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but there do not appear to have been any other bidders for the contract.

In a statement, U.S. Navy spokesman BillyRay Brown said that the service would offer assistance to the Japanese government on the military sales process. "As the first production tiltrotor aircraft, the V-22 has proven itself capable in a number of roles. We look forward to continuing our support of the long-standing allied relationship between the U.S. Government and Japan," he said.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.mod.go.jp/e