Fleet Escort News Today

On May 31, 2023 (around 6:30 a.m. Japan Standard Time), North Korea launched a satellite. North Korea announced the launch in advance, prompting the

SAN DIEGO — Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) returned to her homeport of Naval Base San Diego, June 14, 2023, following a 26-month rotational deployment.

Some of the ship's missions included patrolling the East and South China Seas, training for contested maritime resupply tasking and operating with an Amphibious Ready Group.

Last month, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force commissioned JS Kumano, the first of its new Mogami-class multi-role frigates. The warship was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries facility in Tamano and is the first of a planned class of 22 ships that are destined to replace the fleet’s aging Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Asagiri-class light destroyers. […]

Rear Adm. Will Pennington, commander, Task Force 70 and Capt. Chase Sargeant, commander, Task Force 71 that command Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 discussed maritime strategy and how best to operate forces together at sea with Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, commander, Fleet Escort Force. "Our relationship with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is key to our strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific region. Preserving free and open transit and trade across such a v...

Two projects in Japan’s rising defense budget questioned By Guo Dan The Japanese government approved on December 21 the draft budget for the 2021 fiscal year, including a record defense budget that has been rising for the 9th consecutive year to 5.34 trillionyen (51.6 billion USD). The most conspicuous part of the defense budget is the cruise missile improvement plan and the construction of two ships equipped with Aegis missile interceptor systems as an alternative to the land-based Aegis As...