Japan launched the first communications satellite

The first Japanese communications satellite of the Ministry of Defense was launched on January 23.

According to the Japan Times, Japan's Defense Ministry's first communications satellite was launched on January 23 in a program aimed at upgrading the defense forces' ability to cope with security challenges. Japan (SDF).

The X-band satellite communications , called Kirameki-2, is one of three defense communication satellites that can replace the three civil satellites currently used by SDF.

According to Japanese Ministry of Defense officials, the new satellites will enhance direct communication between the Earth Defense Forces units, the Marine Self-Defense Forces and the Air Defense Forces.

This is one of three defense communication satellites that can replace the three civil satellites currently used by SDF.

Kirameki-2 is deployed in the context of strong active Korean missiles and potential threats that are targeting Japanese island waters.

Kirameki-2 SDF is expected to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and take part in anti-piracy missions in Somalia's offshore waters.

Earlier, Kirameki-2 was deployed before the previous version of Kirameki-1 was damaged during transport to the launch site in French Guiana.

Kirameki-1 is expected to be released in July last year but due to some damage it has to be reversed until March 2018. Meanwhile, Kirameki-3 will be deployed by the end of 2020.

Total cost for Kirameki-1 and Kirameki-2 is about 1.1 billion dollars. Japan hopes to operate new communication satellites, using X-band radar technology for about 15 years.