Japan sends 2 maritime patrol aircraft to Djibouti
(B2) Japan wants to be firmly committed to the international anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. After sending two destroyers, the Sazanomi (see photo) and the Samidare - each equipped with two helicopters and about 200 crewmen -, the self-defense forces will add two maritime patrol planes P- 3C Orion, which should be in operation by May. This responds to a concern expressed by several managers of the operation, emphasizing that to better ensure security in the area, it is essentially the planes that are necessary (read "lack of air personnel).
The entire crew of the Sazanomi, during the presentation to the Djiboutian authorities © NGV
it is - he underlines - "to do our best to provide protection to vessels related to our country against piracy". The Japanese forces have about 110 aircraft of this type, built under license in the Japanese factories of Kawasaki.
We should also point out that one (or more) technical agreement(s), for the supply of supply services, could be signed between Japan and certain European States (such as Germany, in particular for water supply).
