防衛費５兆３４００億円　過去最大、Ｆ１５改修先送り―政府調整

　政府は１７日、防衛省の２０２１年度予算案について、過去最大の総額５兆３４００億円程度とする方向で最終調整に入った。増額は９年連続。陸上配備型迎撃ミサイルシステム「イージス・アショア」に替わる「イージス・システム搭載艦」導入に向けた調査費１７億円を盛り込む。一方で航空自衛隊Ｆ１５戦闘機の改修費計上は見送る。
　２０年度当初予算は５兆３１３３億円。過去最多額を更新するのは７年連続となる。
　概算要求で２７億円としていた国産開発中のミサイル「１２式地対艦誘導弾（ＳＳＭ）」について、長射程化して陸海空のいずれからも発射できるように計画を変更。関連費は３３５億円程度と大幅に増えた。また、従来の装備では探知・追尾が難しい最新鋭ミサイルに対処する「小型人工衛星網（コンステレーション）」の研究費２億円を計上した。（2020/12/17-18:20）

The Japanese government is considering including a record 5.34 trillion yen in defense-related expenditures in the upcoming fiscal 2021 draft budget, informed sources said Thursday.
   The defense budget, which stood at 5.31 trillion yen in the initial budget stage in fiscal 2020, is expected to grow for the ninth straight year and rewrite its record high for seven years in a row.
   The defense budget for the year starting next April will include 1.7 billion yen for research related to the introduction of Aegis system-equipped ships that can intercept ballistic missiles. The vessels will be an alternative to the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system, whose introduction plan has been abandoned.
   Meanwhile, costs to upgrade the Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 fighter jets will not be included.
   The government is expected to secure 33.5 billion yen to improve the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which is under development in Japan, for extending its firing range so that it can be launched from land, sea or air. The amount is far larger than the 2.7 billion yen sought for the missile in the ministry's budget request.