Japan may use detection vehicles at sea

The Japanese government is considering introducing unmanned underwater vehicles capable of detecting submarines and other vessels with a view to beefing up warning and surveillance capabilities against subs dispatched by the Chinese military or by other countries to the East China Sea, where the Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture are located.

The Defense Ministry intends to start developing prototype models in fiscal 2019 and aims to start operations using the unmanned vehicles in fiscal 2025.

The government plans to advance projects to further the use of unmanned underwater vehicles and aircraft. When the National Defense Program Guidelines are revised at the end of the year, they will likely emphasize greater use of such vehicles.

The unmanned underwater vehicle the government envisions using in warning and surveillance activities will be 10 to 15 meters long and able to be programmed to self-navigate in a specific area for up to about a week.

It will have the ability to detect submarines and surface ships with its sonar and will be able to use its artificial intelligence to self-navigate and pursue those vessels. It will not be given attack capabilities.

According to the ministry, unmanned underwater vehicles for surveillance of submarines are also being developed by a U.S. company, and a prototype exists. The U.S. Navy is said to be considering the introduction of this model.