Amidst the escalating activities of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at sea and the shortage of personnel in Japan’s maritime sector, the Japanese government has announced plans to develop Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). These USVs will work in conjunction with unmanned aerial vehicles, manned patrol ships, and autonomous vessels for long-term operations in the distant sea areas, collectively forming the overall surveillance system of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun last Sunday (July 19), the Japanese government is set to kick off research and development work with domestic shipbuilding enterprises and other companies in the fiscal year 2027. The related expenditures will be included in the government’s budget for the fiscal year 2027. Furthermore, the government intends to incorporate the USV project into three critical security documents, including the revision of the National Security Strategy document at the end of this year.
The report indicates that the research and development efforts will focus on technologies such as long-distance or autonomous navigation for unmanned vessels, camera and radar systems for identifying and monitoring nearby vessels, and equipment for intercepting illegal maritime activities.
Currently, the Japan Coast Guard operates five unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring the waters around Japan. However, these drones have limited endurance capabilities and cannot conduct long-term surveillance in the distant sea areas. The unmanned surface vessels, on the other hand, can operate at sea for extended periods without the need for personnel on board, enabling constant monitoring of CCP’s activities at sea.
The Japanese government plans to deploy the unmanned surface vessels in areas with relatively low maritime traffic, allowing manned patrol ships to concentrate on countering actions of Chinese coast guard vessels and engage in maritime rescue operations. The Japanese government believes that the scope of CCP’s maritime activities is expanding from the Diaoyu Islands to the surrounding waters of Taiwan. It is scheduled to revise its policy to enhance the capabilities of the Japan Coast Guard for the first time in four years in December this year.
The development of unmanned surface vessels by the Japanese government also aims to alleviate the shortage of personnel in the Japan Coast Guard. The authorized staffing for the Japan Coast Guard is 14,788 individuals, but as of the end of 2024, the actual staffing was 665 individuals below the authorized number, marking the first time the personnel shortfall exceeds 600 individuals. Additionally, the requirement for Japan Coast Guard personnel to be stationed on ships for extended periods has led to an increase in premature departures of staff.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established the Automated Ship Initial Safety Framework and is continuing to develop mandatory international standards scheduled to take effect in 2032. The Japanese government plans to commence sea trials of unmanned vessels in the same year.
Meanwhile, South Korea is also developing unmanned systems for maritime surveillance and rescue missions. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea and the South Korean Navy began developing unmanned surface vessels in 2015 for port and coastal surveillance, responding to maritime emergencies, and identifying illegal fishing vessels.
In 2022, South Korea’s Coast Guard, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Navy, and Korea Maritime and Ocean University reached an agreement on joint research for pre-testing the deployment of unmanned maritime systems and drones. The South Korean Coast Guard has also established an agency specifically responsible for planning the introduction and operation of unmanned systems.
Japan’s plan to implement automatic unmanned vessels aims to address several issues, including monitoring of Chinese vessels, conducting maritime rescue operations, and personnel shortages. As South Korea expands its efforts to combat illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea and extend search and rescue operations to more distant waters, Japan’s strategy may serve as a valuable reference for South Korea.