The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, also known as the Japanese Army, through its official Twitter account displayed images of their newest V-22 Osprey aircraft conducting joint exercise with the U.S. Marines.
The posts of the Twitter account indicated that Japanese Army officers were learning the V-22 maneuvering with using JGSDF V-22 in USMC New River Airfield. This was the first time to make the formation flight with USMC, USAF, US Navy, and JGSDF all-together and it deepened the interoperability between Japan and U.S.
The Japanese government plans to introduce a special operations variant of the V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft the army forces to conduct dangerous and covert missions, such as the rescuing of Japanese citizens, the source further added.
The Japanese Army is set to receive the V-22B Block C variant, the same in service with the U.S. Marine Corps as MV-22. The aircraft is designed with high-tech radar system and electronic warfare equipment.
Japan ordered the first five Ospreys for its army forces in July 2015 for $332 million.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense also highlighted that, a number of V-22s will be stationed aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s new 19,5000-ton helicopter carrier Izumo. The Ministry also announced its intention to deploy some V-22s in the East China Sea.
The purchase of V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft is part of a larger push of the Japan’s army to improve its amphibious and naval warfare capabilities.
