What Does Japan’s Electronic Warfare Operations Unit Do?

Collecting and Jamming

As modern warfare extends beyond the traditional domains to space, cyber, and electromagnetic realms, addressing new threats in this area has become essential for security.

In Japan, the Air Self-Defense Force is primarily responsible for monitoring the space domain, whereas all three branches contribute to the Joint Cyber Defense Unit.

Then, what about electromagnetic warfare?

Interestingly, while all branches commit to this area in some way, the Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) seems to be the most enthusiastic, with the newly established Electronic Warfare Operations Unit being the core component.

The Electronic Warfare Operations Unit was established as the higher echelon to coordinate the various JGSDF electronic warfare units dispersed across the country.

Their job is to collect and analyze electromagnetic data of potential adversaries, thereby making it possible to use it against them in combat.

Basically, the unit spies on communications and radar of neighboring countries, in hopes of identifying their frequency and jamming them to disrupt operational capabilities.

While the unit is headquartered at Camp Asaka (Tokyo), it oversees subordinate units stationed in Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa.

Future plans include deploying additional units to Hokkaido and Kyushu, as well as strengthening borders security with new units in Tsushima (Nagasaki), a vital island in the middle of the Tsushima Strait, and Yonaguni Island (Okinawa), the westernmost territory of Japan.

These reinforcements indicate the strategic effort to cover key areas across Japan, ensuring robust electronic warfare capabilities that can quickly and effectively respond to emerging threats from all directions.

By integrating these units into a cohesive operational structure, JGSDF can perform a better coordinated electromagnetic warfare in the future.

The NEWS Equipment

So, what kind of equipment does the Electronic Warfare Operations Unit employ?

The most prominent is the latest system known as the “Network Electronic Warfare System” or “NEWS” for short, which is a comprehensive set of devices designed for detection, identification, and electronic attacks (EA).

Components of the NEWS (photo: JGSDF)

This complex system costs around 80 million USD, but unlike the previous systems, the NEWS is more compact and mobile, enabling rapid deployment to wherever necessary.

It is even possible to gather information while on the move, improving operational flexibility. The collected information can be then shared with friendly units, including artillery who have access via the Fire Combat Command and Control System, ultimately improving their targeting.

The NEWS is also designed to minimize interference with JSDF radio frequencies, ensuring their own communications remain unaffected when disrupting the enemy.

As such, the introduction of NEWS marks a significant upgrade from aging previous models, and highlights JGSDF’s emphasis on combating the growing threats in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Needless to say, the use of similar equipment in the Russo-Ukrainian War has accelerated JGSDF’s pursuit for sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities.

Hence, the responsibility and scale of the Electronic Warfare Operations Unit is projected to expand, with additional equipments to come in the near future.