DSEI Japan 2025: JASDF uses NEC Corporation radars for surveillance
A model displayed at the DSEI Japan 2025 show in Chiba showing two configurations of a long-range air-defence radar installed on six Japan Air Self-Defense Force facilities. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is procuring long-range air-defence radar systems from NEC Corporation, Janes learnt at the DSEI Japan 2025 show being held in Chiba from 21 to 23 May.
A JASDF official told Janes that a fixed-radar system developed by NEC has been installed on six JASDF facilities across Japan for surveillance. Each facility has two configurations of this radar system, the official said, declining to name the radar.
“The installation of these radar systems started in 2015. Under the contract with NEC, this radar system is to be installed on seven sites. NEC started development of the radar systems for the seventh site in 2025. The radar systems are expected to be installed on the seventh site by 2030,” the official said.
This NEC radar is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that operates in L-band (1–2 GHz) and S-band (2–4 GHz), the official added.
Janes analysis of a model of the two configurations of this radar system displayed by the JASDF at the DSEI 2025 show indicates that the first configuration has a rotating antenna that can provide 360° azimuth coverage, and the second configuration features three antennas covering 120° each.
The JASDF official said that this radar system can be used to detect hostile aircraft and missiles. The first configuration of this radar has a longer detection range than the second configuration. The official declined to provide more information on the range of each radar configuration.
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