Japan sends P-1 patrol aircraft on first overseas antipiracy mission

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has sent a P-1 patrol aircraft to Djibouti to take part in an antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

According to Japanese media, the aircraft left the Atsugi air base in Kanagawa Prefecture on August 10, marking the first overseas operational mission for the P-1, Japan’s first domestically developed patrol aircraft. It will replace the ageing P-3C aircraft used for the mission.

Japan has deployed personnel for antipiracy operations off the coast of Somalia since 2009. The latest deployment is the 60th.

About 50 MSDF personnel are expected to take part in the three-month mission, conducting surveillance and monitoring operations using the P-1.

The P-1 entered service in 2013. Unlike the propeller-driven P-3C, it is powered by four turbofan engines. As of the end of March, the MSDF had 40 P-1 aircraft in service.

By Aghakazim Guliyev