[ad_1]
Yesterday 10/13, the United States Navy announced two US warships, the destroyer USS John McCain and the tanker USNS Tippecanoe, to exercise with two Japanese warships in the South China Sea beginning on October 12.
Today (14.10), answered YouthDr. Satoru Nagao (Hudson Research Institute, USA) said that the ongoing journey of JS Kaga has shown many messages.
Kaga-2.jpg – US warships and tankers and two Japanese warships have been training in the South China Sea since October 12. |
Travel many messages
First, in terms of route, the JS Kaga was escorted by the destroyer JS Ikazuchi departing from Japan, passing through the South China Sea and training with the Australian navy there from 13 to 17 September. The ship then headed to the Indian Ocean and conducted exercises with the navies of India and Sri Lanka.
After that, the two battleships JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi returned, combined with the submarine SS Shoryu (Japan) to conduct anti-submarine exercises in the South China Sea. On October 12, also in the South China Sea, a pair of battleships JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi practiced with the destroyer USS John McCain, the US tanker USNS Tippecanoe.
Aircraft carrier JS Kaga during a maneuver with the Indian navy, late September 2020 |
“This cruise and its activities represent not only the message of Japan, but also the general message of the ‘quartet of diamonds’ that includes the United States, Japan, Australia and India on comprehensive cooperation in the Indian region. Ocean – Pacific (Indo -Pacific) “, Mr. Nagao further evaluated and analyzed:” In early October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned the creation of a NATO alliance in Asia to institutionalize the Four Diamonds ” .
This time, JS Kaga’s trip somehow shows the shadow of such an alliance, although “Asian NATO” may not be the same current as NATO in the Atlantic. “
In addition, according to Dr. Nagao, promoting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific has the opportunity to take a new step when the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga plans to take a trip to Vietnam and Indonesia.
The JS Kaga helicopter destroyer is seen as a medium-size aircraft carrier, in the future it will be equipped with an F-35B stealth fighter |
Tokyo paper
Second, Dr. Nagao said that the operation of the JS Kaga ship further demonstrates Japan’s role in the “diamond quartet.”
“Previously, Tokyo did not have a lot of activities in the Indo-Pacific in general, in the East Sea in particular. However, the over-modernization of its armed forces in China has changed the landscape. The 3 partners that remain in the “diamond quartet” share with Washington to respond to Beijing. So far, Japan, Australia, and India have strengthened their long-range strike capabilities. The JS Kaga has been upgraded to carry the stealthy fifth-generation F-35 fighter to become a true aircraft carrier. Thus, in the East Sea and the Indian Ocean, Tokyo gradually plays a more important role, ”commented Mr. Nagao.
Aircraft carrier JS Kaga during joint exercises with the Indian Navy, late September 2020 |
In fact, since 2012, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has criticized China for trying to turn the East Sea into a “home pond.” At the time, Abe implicitly expressed that Japan would not stare.
The third message Dr. Nagao pointed out is: The joint exercises and visits of the ship JS Kaga are not only at the level of friendly relations, but are aimed at completing the strike group of the aircraft carrier. Japan has sent SS Shoryu submarines to joint exercises with JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi on anti-submarine capabilities in the South China Sea.
From the right: The aircraft carrier JS Kaga, the destroyer JS Ikazuchi and the submarine SS Shoryu (Japan) recently conducted anti-submarine exercises in the South China Sea. |
For groups of aircraft carriers, submarines remained the greatest threat. So the aforementioned exercise has demonstrated the submarine’s ability to escort the aircraft carrier.
“From the above events, it can be seen that in the context of China’s constant militarization in the South China Sea, the ‘diamond quartet’ has also strengthened its military force in and around this sea,” PhD. Nagao commented.
[ad_2]
