Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO4557
2006-08-13 23:08:00
SECRET
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
EMBASSY EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SPY-1F PROGRAM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #4557 2252308 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 132308Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5295 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE INFO RHMFISS/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T TOKYO 004557
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SPY-1F PROGRAM
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)
S E C R E T TOKYO 004557
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SPY-1F PROGRAM
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)
1. (S) Summary: Embassy Tokyo is actively engaged in efforts
to equip the 19DD destroyer with SM-2 and SPY-1F
capabilities. The Ambassador has raised the SPY-1F issue
with Defense Minister Nukaga and embassy officers have worked
closely with counterparts from Lockheed Martin, the Maritime
Staff Office (MSO),the Japan Defense Agency (JDA) and other
Japanese agencies to ensure that the review of the 19DD's
capabilities is transparent and focused on operational
requirements. The internal process for upgrading the 19DD's
air defense capabilities is complicated by internal GOJ
budgetary and policy processes. Nevertheless, GOJ officials
are fully aware of the importance the USG places on ensuring
that the 19DDs are capable of providing effective air defense
coverage for Aegis ships engaged in BMD operations. End
Summary.
Background
--------------
2. (C) Japan's Maritime Staff Office (MSO) requested
procurement of the SM-2 and SPY-1F systems following a
technical study conducted this Spring, in cooperation with
the Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMCO) and the USN, on the
capabilities of the two systems. Japan Defense Agency (JDA)
Internal Bureau initially rejected the MSO request, citing
guidance contained in an annex of the 2004 Mid-Term Defense
Plan (MTDP) requiring the 19DDs to be equipped with the FCS-3
radar system, produced by Mitsubishi Electric Company
(MELCO).
Embassy Interventions
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador raised the critical need to provide
19DDs with air defense capability with Defense Minister
Fukushiro Nukaga on July 26. The Ambassador's call followed
a broader discussion with Nukaga on July 21 on the importance
of bilateral naval interoperability in the context of
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). The embassy followed-up on
the Ambassador's interventions with more detailed inquiries
on SPY-1F with director-level JDA officials, drawing on
questions submitted to the embassy by Lockheed Martin
representatives.
4. (C) Perhaps as a result of these interventions, JDA
Planning and Program Division Director Naoki Kawamura
outlined for the embassy on July 28 a plan to conduct a
second review of the SPY-1F/FCS-3 based on the new
requirements to fit the 19DDs with SM-2 missiles. Similar
information was reportedly provided through USN and OSD
channels. During his briefing on the proposal, Kawamura
stated that this review would permit JDA to request
inter-agency approval to adjust the MTDP annex and allow the
19DDs to be equipped with SM-2/SPY-1F capabilities. Kawamura
stated that JDA fully supports the MSO desire to procure the
SPY-1F. However, he expressed concern that if legal
processes were not followed, JDA and the USG could be left
vulnerable to accusations from the media and opposition
parties of non-transparently altering the MDTP to favor a
U.S. defense company.
5. (C) Responding to concerns raised about the JDA Internal
Bureau's neutrality on the 19DD procurement program, the
embassy has also raised the SPY-1F issue with the Cabinet
Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Budget and
Finance Division of JDA. In addition to increasing the
visibility of the issue, such interactions have added further
clarity to budgetary and policy process questions raised by
both JDA and Lockheed Martin. Thus far, the embassy has not
identified any serious red flags in the process, but will
continue to make our concern known both to JDA and the wider
policy community, including the Ministry of Finance.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) There is understandable concern over the process and
substantive issues involved with the MSO effort to upgrade
the 19DDs with SM-2/SPY-1F. The process of altering both the
MTDP and the FY2007 budget is complicated, but by no means
impossible or unprecedented. Given the current focus on BMD
capabilities, both within JDA and within the broader public,
we believe Japan will choose to upgrade the 19DDs to ensure
inter-operability with USN counterparts to meet serious
resistance. The embassy will continue to highlight the
operational advantages of doing so.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SPY-1F PROGRAM
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)
1. (S) Summary: Embassy Tokyo is actively engaged in efforts
to equip the 19DD destroyer with SM-2 and SPY-1F
capabilities. The Ambassador has raised the SPY-1F issue
with Defense Minister Nukaga and embassy officers have worked
closely with counterparts from Lockheed Martin, the Maritime
Staff Office (MSO),the Japan Defense Agency (JDA) and other
Japanese agencies to ensure that the review of the 19DD's
capabilities is transparent and focused on operational
requirements. The internal process for upgrading the 19DD's
air defense capabilities is complicated by internal GOJ
budgetary and policy processes. Nevertheless, GOJ officials
are fully aware of the importance the USG places on ensuring
that the 19DDs are capable of providing effective air defense
coverage for Aegis ships engaged in BMD operations. End
Summary.
Background
--------------
2. (C) Japan's Maritime Staff Office (MSO) requested
procurement of the SM-2 and SPY-1F systems following a
technical study conducted this Spring, in cooperation with
the Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMCO) and the USN, on the
capabilities of the two systems. Japan Defense Agency (JDA)
Internal Bureau initially rejected the MSO request, citing
guidance contained in an annex of the 2004 Mid-Term Defense
Plan (MTDP) requiring the 19DDs to be equipped with the FCS-3
radar system, produced by Mitsubishi Electric Company
(MELCO).
Embassy Interventions
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador raised the critical need to provide
19DDs with air defense capability with Defense Minister
Fukushiro Nukaga on July 26. The Ambassador's call followed
a broader discussion with Nukaga on July 21 on the importance
of bilateral naval interoperability in the context of
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). The embassy followed-up on
the Ambassador's interventions with more detailed inquiries
on SPY-1F with director-level JDA officials, drawing on
questions submitted to the embassy by Lockheed Martin
representatives.
4. (C) Perhaps as a result of these interventions, JDA
Planning and Program Division Director Naoki Kawamura
outlined for the embassy on July 28 a plan to conduct a
second review of the SPY-1F/FCS-3 based on the new
requirements to fit the 19DDs with SM-2 missiles. Similar
information was reportedly provided through USN and OSD
channels. During his briefing on the proposal, Kawamura
stated that this review would permit JDA to request
inter-agency approval to adjust the MTDP annex and allow the
19DDs to be equipped with SM-2/SPY-1F capabilities. Kawamura
stated that JDA fully supports the MSO desire to procure the
SPY-1F. However, he expressed concern that if legal
processes were not followed, JDA and the USG could be left
vulnerable to accusations from the media and opposition
parties of non-transparently altering the MDTP to favor a
U.S. defense company.
5. (C) Responding to concerns raised about the JDA Internal
Bureau's neutrality on the 19DD procurement program, the
embassy has also raised the SPY-1F issue with the Cabinet
Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Budget and
Finance Division of JDA. In addition to increasing the
visibility of the issue, such interactions have added further
clarity to budgetary and policy process questions raised by
both JDA and Lockheed Martin. Thus far, the embassy has not
identified any serious red flags in the process, but will
continue to make our concern known both to JDA and the wider
policy community, including the Ministry of Finance.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) There is understandable concern over the process and
substantive issues involved with the MSO effort to upgrade
the 19DDs with SM-2/SPY-1F. The process of altering both the
MTDP and the FY2007 budget is complicated, but by no means
impossible or unprecedented. Given the current focus on BMD
capabilities, both within JDA and within the broader public,
we believe Japan will choose to upgrade the 19DDs to ensure
inter-operability with USN counterparts to meet serious
resistance. The embassy will continue to highlight the
operational advantages of doing so.
SCHIEFFER