FILE PHOTO. © Toru Yamanaka / AFP
Reuters: Exclusive: Japan to speed up frigate build to reinforce East China Sea - sources
Japan plans to accelerate a warship building program to make two frigates a year to patrol the fringes of the East China Sea, where it disputes island ownership with China, three people with knowledge of the plan said.
Japan previously was building one 5,000-ton class destroyer a year, but will now make two 3,000-ton class ships a year, beginning from the April 2018 fiscal year, the people said, declining to be identified as they are not authorized to talk to the media.
It aims to produce a fleet of eight of the new class of smaller, cheaper vessels, which may also have mine-sweeping and anti-submarine capability.
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More News On Japan's Frigate Program
Japan to double warship construction in East China Sea with new frigate to counter Beijing– Report -- International Business Times
Tokyo bets on lighter frigates, plans to double E. China Sea naval build-up – reports -- RT
Japan to Build New Hi-Tech Fleet as East China Sea Conflict Heats Up -- Sputnik
