Two Maritime Self-Defense Force P3C patrol planes, which will be engaged in intelligence gathering activities over Middle Eastern waters, left the Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday morning with the aim of ensuring the safety of sea lanes amid growing tensions in the Middle East.
The P3Cs will be based in Djibouti in eastern Africa and patrol three bodies of water: the Gulf of Aden, the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz, including Iran's territorial waters, is not included in the planes' activity areas. They will also conduct antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Defense Minister Taro Kono said at the base on the day: "In addition to antipiracy operations, you will engage in new missions. Peace and stability in the Middle East are extremely important for the international community. Do your duty with courage and pride."
The MSDF aircraft were dispatched based on the "survey and research" provision stipulated in the Defense Ministry Establishment Law.
In February, a destroyer will set sail from the Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture and begin its operations in Middle Eastern waters in late February.
on Saturday morning as the families of SDF personnel wave them off.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
