December 28, 2017

Japan is planning to develop its first aircraft carriers since the Second World War to counter Chinese expansionism in Asia Pacific and the threat posed by North Korea.

Under a proposed £3 billion plan the Japanese navy will convert two 248m Izumo-class helicopter carriers to handle American F-35 jump-jet fighters, giving the country its first naval airstrike capability in more than 70 years.

Converting the ships is highly contentious because it will not only threaten the military balance in Asia but potentially breach Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution. Japan once had the largest carrier fleet in the world — and used the ships to attack Pearl Harbor in 1941 — but the last was destroyed in 1945.

Read more:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/japan-plans-new-carrier-to-meet-beijing-threat-sktrcqrtg