Rolls-Royce Defence in Japan

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Rolls-Royce Defence in Japan

Learn more about our continued contribution to Japan’s defence capability

A strong heritage

Rolls-Royce’s ties with Japan go back over 110 years since the IJA Mikasa was supplied from the UK for the Japanese Imperial Navy. The first Rolls-Royce Japanese office opened in Tokyo in the 1960s and began supplying Orpheus gas turbines to the Defense Agency. Since then, Rolls-Royce has continued to build on its relationships and today employs over 70 employees in the Kobe and Tokyo offices, and a further 5,000 Japanese work on Rolls-Royce programmes in partner organisations.

Rolls-Royce products are aligned with Japan’s defence policy with strong maritime, air transport, patrol and training supported by unique combat and special mission capability.

Rolls-Royce has developed a strong naval presence in Japan for over 50 years. The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) is today one of the world’s largest operators of Rolls-Royce marine gas turbines. Rolls-Royce has a large number of MTU diesels in service with the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG).

Earlier this year, Japan received its first MT30 gas turbine, which will power an expected fleet of eight ships for the 30FFM Batch 1 programme that is set to replace the Asagiri and Abukuma-classes of destroyer escort ships. The engine will be packaged by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) in Japan with whom Rolls-Royce has worked for almost 50 years and supplied more than 200 naval gas turbines for the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force. Today, KHI participates in almost all of the Trent engine programmes, and is also a licensee of the LHTEC CTS800, naval marine gas turbines and the 501-K engine for its Jetfoil boats.

KHI will manufacture the specialised integrated compact package enclosure for the MT30 marine gas turbine. This is a highly complex engineering solution that provides the ancillary components necessary to ensure the optimal performance of this modern gas turbine. Once the enclosure is complete, KHI will conduct an integrated shore trial of the 30FFM propulsion system in their facility prior to delivery of the MT30 compact package to the shipyard in Japan next year.

Sam Cameron, Rolls-Royce Defence Senior Vice President for the Pacific Rim said: “Japan has traditionally been one of the principal users of Rolls-Royce marine products, particularly gas turbines. We look forward to continuing to grow the footprint of the MT30 in the region.”

“MT30 is now on nine programmes globally, seven of which were conceived in the 21st century so it’s clear that the MT30 has become the engine of tomorrow’s platforms.”

The MT30 is the world’s most powerful in-service marine gas turbine and gives operators efficiency and reliability in a compact package with a market-leading power-to-weight ratio. The MT30 is already the engine of choice for some of the world’s most advanced naval platforms including the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers and Type 26 global combat ship, the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Freedom Class variant and DDG-1000 advanced destroyer, Republic of Korea Navy’s Daegu Class frigate, and the Italian Navy’s new Landing Helicopter Dock.

MT30 - Powering the world’s future fleets

WATCH

Richard Partridge, Chief Engineer Naval Systems explains the unique features of the MT30. “Power density is the reason why marine gas turbines, started to displace steam turbines and boilers back in the 1960s and 1970s in warships. Power density is characterised by high power from a very small package and this is epitomised in the MT30 package. The engine is capable of providing up to 43 megawatts of power from a very small package and this allows really good and new choices in terms of system and platform design as well as operational aspects".

AE 1107C powered V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft

Outside of the naval sector, Rolls-Royce continues to be a market leader in aero transport and patrol, powering global C-130, P3, V-22, trainer and JASDF and JCG utility fleets. JMOD’s critical transport, patrol, early warning, and training missions have been powered by Rolls-Royce engines for 50 years. More than 700 of our engines power aircraft across all three branches of JMOD, JCG and JCAB.

Providing STOVL capability for the F-35B Lightning ll

Having already partnered with Japan on a number of key areas, Rolls-Royce is in a strong position and uniquely placed to collaborate on future products – particularly combat. Japan’s future combat air programme potentially offers Rolls-Royce the opportunity to further develop in-country partnerships to support next generation technology and system requirements. Rolls-Royce remains the only whole-engine company to have successfully executed multi-national combat engine programmes.

Rolls-Royce values partnerships with Japanese original equipment manufacturers, suppliers and academia. Our defence engines power indigenous aircraft and are maintained by local partners. Also in-country we work with Japanese Research & Technology partners delivering advances in materials and other fields. Rolls-Royce also uses partnerships to promote science, technology and maths with academia and young future talent.