The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to operate the OZZ-5 MCM UUV in Japan's disputed southern islands. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is set to deliver its first OZZ-5 mine-countermeasures (MCM) unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Company officials told Janes at the DSEI Japan 2023 exhibition in Chiba that the first of five on-order OZZ-5 systems will be supplied to the JMSDF by the end of March. The initial five OZZ-5s are all expected to be delivered by the end of 2024.

MHI officials said the JMSDF will operate unmanned surface vessels (USVs) – also built by MHI – that deploy from the service's Mogami-class frigates. Janes understands that the OZZ-5 will be operated by the JMSDF around Japan's disputed southern islands.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) initiated a project to develop an MCM UUV in the late 2000s, leading to MHI's development of the OZZ-5 in 2017. MHI said the development programme was completed in 2021.

The FN Minimi Mk 3 is a belt-fed, fully automatic, gas-operated, air-cooled LMG. The barrel of Mk 3 is chambered for 5.56×45 mm, and it is available in two lengths – 349 mm and 465 mm. (FN Herstal)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has selected Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) Herstal's Minimi Mk 3 light machine guns (LMGs) and German handgun manufacturer Heckler & Koch's (H&K's) G28 E2 anti-personnel sniper guns for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

A spokesperson for the MoD told Janes that the country will procure 514 Minimis for JPY920 million (USD6.88 million) and 182 G28 E2 snipers valued at JPY1.13 billion in 2024. “The models are scheduled to be publicly announced in FY [fiscal year] 2023,” he said.

According to Janes Weapons: Infantry, the Japanese MoD announced in February 2023 that it will purchase 3,100 Minimis worth JPY14.9 billion to replace the Sumitomo Heavy Industries-produced Minimi Mk 1 guns in service with the JGSDF.

At the same time, Japan's Ground Staff Office announced the procurement of 900 G28 E2 snipers to replace the in-service M24A2 sniper rifle.

MC2 Technologies has been supplying its Nerod RF C-UAS (pictured) to the Japanese government with the help of its local partner, Mikuni Aerospace. (MC2 Technologies)

French company Microwave Characterization Center (MC2) Technologies has been supplying its Nerod RF counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) to the Japanese government with the help of its local partner in Japan, Mikuni Aerospace.

Speaking to Janes at the DSEI Japan 2023 show being held in Chiba, Camille Gaquiere, export control manager at MC2 Technologies said that the Nerod RF units are manufactured by the company at their facilities in France and sent to Japan. Mikuni Aerospace co-ordinates with the Japanese government to understand and fulfil the government's requirements.

The Nerod RF is a handheld C-UAS that needs to be pointed at a hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by the operator to work.

Gaquiere said that the Nerod RF works by generating noise signals at the radio frequencies (RFs) used by hostile UAVs. The C-UAS can transmit signals on seven frequency bands independently or simultaneously including 400 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.