Given That the 2010s, Japan has actually been urged to react to China’s maritime development and army build-up. A specifically crucial problem has actually been exactly how to safeguard Japan’s remote islands and essential island chains in the East China Sea, typically referred to as the Nansei Islands. To resolve this difficulty, the Amphibious Rapid Release Brigade (ARDB), a specialized pressure for first protection procedures, was developed in March 2018.
The ARDB is a Japan Ground Protection Pressure (JGSDF) system with roughly 3,000 employees. Its specifying particular is its major aquatic functional ability, something the JGSDF had actually never ever formerly had. If an opponent were to confiscate among Japan’s remote islands, regaining it would certainly need an aquatic attack versus a well-defended setting. The ARDB was developed as a committed pressure for this function.
The ARDB includes 3 routines, referred to as Amphibious Rapid Release Regiments, as its core devices. To promote their touchdown procedures, the brigade has actually been outfitted with AAV-7 aquatic attack lorries. The ARDB runs 3 versions of the AAV-7: the employees provider, command, and recuperation variations. The conventional employees provider variation is crewed by a leader, chauffeur, and back team participant, and can move roughly 10 soldiers in its back area.
Throughout aquatic procedures, the ARDB begins its AAV-7s onto Japan Maritime Protection Pressure (JMSDF) Ōsumi-class touchdown ship storage tank (LST), introducing them from the well deck for coast attacks. The brigade is based at Ainoura Fort in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, which is close to JMSDF Sasebo Naval Base. This place was selected to make it possible for fast departure onto transportation ships in times of emergency situation.
The ARDB’s AAV-7s are largely designated to the Fight Touchdown Squadron, which is made up of 3 Fight Touchdown Firms. For this write-up, writer carried out an unique meeting with the leader of the Fight Touchdown Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Seiichirō Satō.

・ The AAV-7: Attributes and Functional Obstacles
Initially, Naval Information asked Lt. Col. Satō regarding the attributes and procedures of the AAV-7, the squadron’s main tools. The JGSDF had actually never ever formerly run aquatic armored lorries, and its AAV-7 staffs were picked from employees that had actually formerly functioned as storage tank drivers. Offered the essential distinctions in between storage tanks and aquatic attack lorries, writer sought his viewpoint on AAV-7 procedures.
” In armored devices, we have actually typically run storage tanks and Maneuver Fight Automobiles (MCVs, rolled tank-like armored car). These lorries are defined by 3 essential abilities: firepower, defense, and wheelchair. Nevertheless, the AAV-7 presents a 4th ability– transportation ability. It can lug soldiers in its cabin for transport or release fight designers to perform obstacle-clearing procedures on the coastline. Unlike previous armored lorries, which were largely created for fight, the AAV-7 stands out because it integrates fight ability with the capacity to move employees and tools”.
Lt. Col. Satō

・ Training Obstacles for Amphibious Workflow
Following, the writer inquired about the obstacles in performing training workouts making use of the AAV-7. According to Lt. Col. Satō, Japan’s training atmosphere provides substantial challenges.
” As an example, when we educated at Camp Pendleton in The Golden State, we might perform the whole series of procedures– touchdown from the sea, progressing inland, and involving in fight– done in one constant workout. Nevertheless, in Japan, there is no solitary place where we can perform all these stages with each other. Therefore, we need to educate each stage individually– naval handling aboard JMSDF transportation ships, coast touchdowns, and inland fight workouts need to all be executed at various times and areas. Among our essential obstacles is exactly how to keep and enhance our soldiers’ effectiveness under these problems”.
Lt. Col. Satō
・ Future Amphibious Armored Automobiles: Getting rid of the AAV-7’s Limitations
Naval Information additionally asked Lt. Col. Satō regarding the next-generation aquatic armored car that will certainly change the presently run AAV-7. The Ministry of Protection is creating a brand-new locally generated AAV, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) leading its growth. Lt. Col. Satō shared his hopes that this brand-new car will certainly resolve the drawbacks of the AAV-7.
” Primarily, I anticipate a renovation in firepower. If the adversary is outfitted with gently armored lorries, our present firepower wants. The AAV-7 is equipped just with a 40mm explosive launcher and a 12.7 mm hefty gatling gun. In addition, the gotten started infantry devices lug little in the method of anti-tank weapons, with their main weaponry being recoilless rifles at finest. I think a minimum of a 30mm autocannon is essential.
Moreover, high-speed maritime wheelchair and security are additionally crucial. The AAV-7 experiences severe throwing and rolling mixed-up, triggering extreme nausea amongst team participants. In addition, its optimum waterborne rate is just about 13 km/h, suggesting it takes a significant quantity of time to take a trip from the ship to the coast throughout an aquatic attack. This is a substantial downside. Consequently, I think the next-generation car needs to can high-speed, steady navigating mixed-up”.Lt. Col. Satō
・ Development Prepare For the Base’s Capacities
As component of the meeting, the writer went to Sakibe Vice-Camp, where the Fight Touchdown Squadron is pointed, to observe an AAV-7 driving workout carried out by the first Fight Touchdown Firm. The vice-camp functions a committed training program for the AAV-7, that includes a water examination storage tank to look for leakages, along with challenges such as actions, harsh surface, and inclines to imitate functional problems.
In addition, building is presently underway on a brand-new pier beside Sakibe Vice-Camp. As soon as finished, this center will certainly permit AAV-7s to get started straight onto JMSDF transportation ships from the base, improving the system’s functional preparedness.
The article Japan’s ARDB Combat Landing Battalion: An interview with its Commander showed up initially on Naval News.
发布者:Yoshihiro Inaba,转转请注明出处:https://robotalks.cn/japans-ardb-combat-landing-battalion-an-interview-with-its-commander/