Japan bolsters army-navy interoperability with inaugural MV-22B landin…

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft seen here taking off from JS Ise . (JMSDF)

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) has taken another step towards improving its army-navy interoperability with the inaugural landing of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on its Hyūga-class helicopter carrier, JS Ise .

This milestone was achieved during an operation around Izu Islands, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) disclosed in a statement to mark the occasion.

The MV-22B aircraft is operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) while Ise is the JMSDF's second Hyūga-class helicopter carrier. The tiltrotor aircraft that the JGSDF operates is a Block C variant, which features improved avionics and navigation systems.

Japan was the first country outside the US to operate the MV-22B when the first airframe was received by the JGSDF in 2020.

Prior to the inaugural landing that took place on 5 September 2023, the JMSDF's Hyūga class had carried out landings of similar aircraft operated by the US Marine Corps.

In the statement released by the JMSDF, Commanding Officer of Ise Captain Kaneko Junichi described the inaugural landing and take-off milestone as one that has improved the two services' ability to co-operate.

“The JMSDF is striving to enhance its operational capabilities in order to respond immediately to any contingency,” he added.

The MV-22B is operated by the JGSDF's 1st Helicopter Brigade and the service has a fleet of seven units, which are primarily deployed for logistics support and general transportation operations.