JS KUMANO conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise.

On 27 September, JS KUMANO conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise with USS Oakland, USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) Ranger and USV Mariner in Sagami Bay.
The Commanding Officer of JS KUMANO, Commander IZUMI Atsushi said, “This is the first exercise for the JMSDF with USV, which the U.S. Navy is testing. Both this ship, our FFM and USV that the U.S. Navy owns are the next generation of naval vessels. I believe that the exercise together was a good opportunity to develop new ways to utilize surface vessels in the future and to strengthen cooperation between Japanese and the U.S. naval forces in the field of research and development of USV. We, the crew of JS KUMANO, will continue to work together as a team in daily training and missions in order to respond swiftly to all needs.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.

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