ATLA Official Guides and Movies on Defense Equipment

Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology

On April 1, 2014, in accordance with the NSS, the Government of Japan set out the Three Principle on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology as a set of clear principles on the overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology that fits the new security environment. The Principles replaced the previous “Three Principles on Arms Exports and Their Related Policy Guidelines”.

On December 22, 2023, the Government of Japan revised “Three Principle on Transfer of defense Equipment and Technology” and “Implementation Guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” based on “National Security Strategy” newly adopted in December 2022.

Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology

Implementation Guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology

Overview of the Revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and Implementation Guidelines

Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation with the U.S.

In order to enhance interoperability and promote efficient acquisition and maintenance, the two governments will:

1. cooperate in joint research, development, production, and test and evaluation of equipment and in mutual provision of components of common equipment and services;
   • Six joint researches
   • Joint research on Comparison of Operational Jet Fuel and Noise Exposures
   • Joint research on Cooperative research on Chemical Agent Detector-kit Colorimetric Reader (CADCoR)
   • Joint research on High-Temperature Case Technology
   • Joint research on Next Generation Amphibious Technology
   • Joint research on Mission Partner Gateway Extended
   • Joint research on Modular Hybrid Electric Vehicle System
   • BMD joint development
   • Transfer of software and parts related to the Aegis System
   • Transfer of PAC-2 parts
2. Strengthen the basis to repair and maintain common equipment for mutual efficiency and readiness;
   • F-35 Regional Depot
   • V-22 common maintenance base
3. Facilitate reciprocal defense procurement to enhance efficient acquisition, interoperability, and defense equipment and technology cooperation;
   • Reciprocal Defense Procurement MOU
4. Explore opportunities for cooperation with partners on defense equipment and technology.

Building New Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation

1. Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation with Major European Countries

Defense equipment and technology cooperation with major European countries, which have competitive defense industries, will contribute to the strengthening of security and defense cooperation with these countries.

1. The U.K.
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, July.2013)
   • Chemical and Biological Protection Technology Cooperative Research Project (from July 2013 to July 2017)
   • Cooperative Research on a Joint New Air to Air Missile (JNAAM) (since Nov. 2014)
   • Cooperative Research Project on the Personnel Vulnerability Evaluation (PVE)(from July 2016 to July 2020)
   • Cooperative Research on the Certification Process of Jet Engines (from Feb. 2018 to Feb. 2020)
   • Cooperative Research on the Feasibility of a Japan And Great Britain Universal Advanced RF system (JAGUAR) (since March 2018)
   • Cooperation on Future Combat Air System (FCAS) / Future Fighter (from March 2017 to March 2019)
   • UK-Japan High Level Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation Steering Panel (since July 2014)
2. France
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, Dec.2016)
   • Committee on defense equipment and technology cooperation and a committee on export control (since Jan. 2018)
   • Cooperative Research on the Feasibility Study for Mine Countermeasure Technological Activities (since June. 2018)
   • Exhibited P-1 and C-2 aircraft and set up ATLA’s booth at the Paris Air Show in France
3. Germany
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Signed and Effective, July 2017)
   • Participation of P-1 aircraft and ATLA’s booth related to P-1 aircraft in the Berlin Air Show 2018 (Apr. 2018)
4. Italy
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, Apr. 2019)
   • 1st Japan-Italy Defense Industry Forum (Jan. 2019)
   • Joint Working Group on director-level meetings on Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation between Japan and Italian Republic (since Jan. 2019)

2. Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation with Partner Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region

As partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region have expressed their interest and expectation regarding defense equipment and technology cooperation with Japan, the MOD proactively seeks to build relationships with these countries.

1. Australia
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, Dec.2014)
   • Exploration of potential cooperation opportunities in the F-35 program
   • Acquisition reform dialogue with the Defense Material Organization of Australia
   • Exploration of the possibility of Japanese cooperation in the Australian Future Submarine Program by request from Australia
   • Defense technology exchanges with the Defense Science and Technology Organization of Australia (in the field of marine hydrodynamics and exchanges among engineers and scientists)
   • Talks between defense industries in both countries
   • Placement of Scientist and Engineer Personnel(since Nov.2019)
   • Joint Research on Marine Hydrodynamics(from Dec.2015 to Nov.2019)
   • Japan-Australia Joint Research on Marine Hydrodynamics and Hydroacoustics (scheduled to start in FY 2021)
   • Japan-Australia Joint Research on Multi-Unmanned Ground Vehicle Autonomy Technology (scheduled to start in FY 2021)
   • Participation of the ASDF C-2 transport aircraft in Avalon International Airshow held in Australia (Feb.2019)
   • The second meeting of the Japan-Australia Joint Steering Committee for Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation (June. 2019)
2. India
   • Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, Mar.2016)
   • Joint Working Group on Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation (JWG-DETC) to promote bilateral cooperation in defense equipment and Technology (5 times in total)
   • Cooperative Research on the Visual SLAM based GNSS Augmentation Technology for UGV / Robotics
   • Japan-India Defense Industry Business Forum (2 times in total)
3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Countries

   Among Japan and ASEAN member states, exchanges of views have taken place regarding defense equipment and technology cooperation in non-traditional security sectors, such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security, through the Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Meetings and other occasions. Participating countries have expressed their expectation for Japan’s cooperation in effectively dealing with these issues. In the“Vientiane Vision”announced by Japan at the ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers’Informal Meeting held in November 2016, it is stated that Japan’s defense equipment and technology cooperation with ASEAN countries would be promoted with a focus on the following three points: (1) equipment and technology transfer, (2) human resources development, and (3) holding seminars on defense industries.

   • the Philippines
     • ▪Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Effective, Apr.2016)
     • ▪Transfer of five JMSDF's TC-90 Training Aircraft (including support in pilot training for 6 pilots and support in maintenance & sustainment)
     • ▪Transfer of parts and maintenance equipment of the UH-1H utility helicopters that became unnecessary for the GSDF (Sep. 2019)
     • ▪Conclusion of the contract of Air Surveillance Radar System to the Republic of the Philippines Equipment to be delivered: 4 Units of Air Surveillance Radar Systems
     • (3 Fixed Air Defense Surveillance Radar Systems / 1 Mobile / Transportable Radar System) (Aug. 2020)
   • Vietnam
     • ▪Terms of Reference (TOR) for regular consultations concerning defence equipment and technological cooperation (Signed, Nov. 2016)
     • ▪Memorandum on the Orientation of Promotion of Defense Industry Cooperation
     • ▪Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer (Substantially Agreed, Oct. 2020)
   • Malaysia
     • ▪Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology (Signed and agreed,Apr.2018)
     • ▪Participation of ATLA in LIMA 2019 held in Malaysia (March. 2019)
   • Indonesia
     • ▪Japan-Indonesia Defense Industry Forum (in Indonesia; August 2017)
     • ▪Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology (Effective, March 2021)

   　The MOD will continue to promote cooperation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as the maritime security area through these initiatives.

4. Middle East
   • The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
     • ▪Participation of the ASDF C-2 transport aircraft in the Dubai Air Show 2019 (Nov. 2019)
   • The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
     • ▪Lending a retired GSDF type-61 main battle tank without charge to Jordan for display at the Royal Tank Museum (Aug. 2019)
     • ▪The Japanese GSDF receiving an armored vehicle donated by His Majesty King Abudullar Ⅱ ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which had been developed in Jordan (Aug. 2019)
     • ▪Minister of Defense and Jordanian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Japan’s delivering speeches, signing and exchanging letters at the ceremony for the lending and donation at the MOD (Oct. 2019)
     • ▪Unveiling the loaned type-61 main battle tank and setting up a panel for its explanation at the Jordan Royal Tank Museum (Nov. 2019)
   • Israel
     • ▪Memorandum on Protection of Information for the Exchange of Classified Information on Defense Equipment and Technology (Signed, Seep. 2019)

Report of “Study Panel on the challenges concerning defense equipment and technology transfer”

MOD had indicated that MOD will study the postures and systems to promote cooperation smoothly for Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer in the Strategy on Defense Production and Technological Bases established in June, 2014. In line with the strategy, MOD had held the Study Panel on the challenges concerning defense equipment and technology transfer that composed by outside experts based on the advice of Director General, Bureau of Finance and Equipment, and the Study Panel issued the report in September 30, 2015.