TOKYO -- Japan will create a new maritime transport unit in its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in March as it looks to boost defense of its chain of southern islands reaching down to Okinawa prefecture, with plans for 10 new ships by fiscal 2027.
The new maritime transport group will have a staff of about 100 people and two transport ships at first. Its base will be the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima prefecture, with an auxiliary facility at Hanshin Base in Hyogo prefecture.
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