The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (防衛装備庁, Bōei sōbi-chō, ATLA) is an agency established under the Japanese Ministry of Defense that handles project management, technology management, research and development, and procurement of defense equipment for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.[3] ATLA is a part of the defense policy of then-Prime MinisterShinzō Abe to bolster the military by streamlining and reforming the country's defense industry and military equipment acquisition.[1]
History
In 2014, the Ministry of Defense began to implement reforms to adapt to the increasing tensions in security environment surrounding Japan and the changes in defense policy under Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. As part of the Medium Term Defense Program (FY 2014-2018) the Ministry of Defense pursued organizational restructuring, which includes the integration of all departments that handles equipment acquisition into one agency.[4]
The Ministry of Defense included the reforms in the FY2015 defense budget; which included the establishment of ATLA and reorganization of the Internal Bureau to accompany with ATLA's establishment. ATLA's formation involved integrating any divisions related to procurement or research and development from other departments into one bureau. These departments include the Internal Bureau's Bureau of Finance & Equipment, Staff Offices, Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), and Equipment Procurement and Construction Office.[5]
ATLA manages the research and development and procurement of military technology for Japan, through by collaborations with universities, or domestic/international industry companies.[7][8]
Organization
Senior officials
Senior officials at the "Director General" (部長) level and above are as follows.[9]
Commissioner, ATLA (防衛装備庁長官)
Vice-Commissioner and Chief Technology Officer (防衛技監)
Director General of Joint Systems (長官官房装備官（統合装備担当）)
Director General of Ground Systems (長官官房装備官（陸上担当）)
Director General of Naval Systems (長官官房装備官（海上担当）)
Director General of Aerial Systems (長官官房装備官（航空担当）)
Assistant Commissioner (長官官房審議官)
Director General, Department of Equipment Policy (装備政策部長)
Director General, Department of Project Management (プロジェクト管理部長)
Director General, Department of Technology Strategy (技術戦略部長)
Director General, Department of Procurement Management (調達管理部長)
Director General, Department of Procurement Operations (調達事業部長)
長官官房装備官（陸上担当） Director General of Ground Systems 長官官房装備官（海上担当） Director General of Naval Systems 長官官房装備官（航空担当） Director General of Aerial Systems 長官官房審議官 Assistant Commissioner 装備政策部長 Director General, Department of Equipment Policy プロジェクト管理部長 Director General, Department of Project Management 技術戦略部長 Director General, Department of Technology Strategy 調達管理部長 Director General, Department of Procurement Management 調達事業部長 Director General, Department of Procurement Operations
Departments
The following are ATLA's organizational departments.[10]
