Zain Malik
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The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has revealed to IHS Jane's its plans to replace the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF's) Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighter aircraft, which was developed in the 1990s and produced in the 2000s in a collaboration programme between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Lockheed Martin.
A spokesperson said on 30 June that earlier this month the MoD issued a request for information (RFI) to international combat aircraft manufacturers as part of a study into jet fighter technologies. The RFI closes on 5 July, with the companies expected to present their information by the end of August. The MoD will make a decision regarding the "future fighter aircraft" by fiscal year (FY) 2018, which commences April 2018.
The spokesperson said the RFI is intended to support consideration of available combat aircraft as well as gauge international companies' willingness to participate in a collaborative programme as the MoD decides whether to develop the F-2 replacement indigenously or to enter a joint development programme with a foreign firm based on an existing fighter aircraft design. An import programme, followed by licenced production in Japan, is also a possibility.
The new aircraft has been dubbed F-3, with the programme led by the MoD's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), which was launched in October 2015.
"The MoD is considering from a broad perspective including not only creating a new aircraft type but also making use of foreign aircraft in operation," said the spokesperson. "The aim of the RFI is to gain information on [foreign companies'] intention to participate in the development of a new type of aircraft and on sales of, or the future increase of capability of, existing aircraft."
The spokesperson added, "This RFI does not make any contractual obligations for future procurement as it is aimed at gaining information from companies in order to make a decision regarding the development of a future fighter aircraft."
