Trump announces Japan’s purchase of 105 new F-35 stealth aircraft

[The SC]

May 27, 2019
in Aviation, News

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexia Lythos

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Japan plans to buy almost 105 new F-35 Lightning ll stealth fighter jets.

“The United States supports Japan’s efforts to improve its defense capabilities, and in recent months we have sent them a large amount of military equipment,” Trump said at a press conference, announcing Japan’s intention to buy 105 US-made stealth warplanes, giving it the largest F-35 fleet of any US ally.


According to the American leader: “(They’re) stealth because the fact is you can’t see them.”
The U.S. Defense industry is developing and fielding a family of fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft integrating stealth technologies with advanced sensors and computer networking capabilities for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, eight international partners, and four foreign military sales customers.

The family is comprised of three aircraft variants. The Air Force’s F-35A variant will complement its F-22A fleet and is expected to replace the air-to-ground attack capabilities of the F-16 and A-10. The Marine Corps’ F-35B variant will replace its F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. The Navy’s F-35C variant will complement its F/A-18E/F aircraft.

As of December 2018, the prime contractor has delivered 264 production aircraft.
The Japanese government first placed an order for 42 F-35As in December 2011. Still, by the time December 2018 rolled around, the existing order was updated. At the time it was reported that Tokyo would be adding 63 F-35As and 42 F-35B variants to its order, in addition to the already placed request for 42 F-35As.


https://defence-blog.com/news/trump-announces-japans-purchase-of-105-new-f-35-stealth-aircraft.html

 

[The SC]

Milking Japan..

 

[xyxmt]

Milking Japan..

China is the enemy...japan buys me
Iran is the enemy.....Saudi buys me
Pakistan is terrorist enemy....Modi buys me

 

[WarKa DaNG]

Did they found the one that crashed in the sea?

 

[PDF]

There was this news that Japan wants to sell its F-15s and replenish its inventory with F-35s. So this was expected.

 

[Jinn Baba]

There was this news that Japan wants to sell its F-15s and replenish its inventory with F-35s. So this was expected.

Yes. The more interesting news may be where those F15s are going.

 

[PDF]

Yes. The more interesting news may be where those F15s are going.

With heavily customized and airframes having lesser airworthiness due to being old and frequently used, only those countries that all ready fly these will take them and not at a high price. Many countries are already opting for F-35s while those in the gulf have typhoons and Rafale. Though F-15s are in another category i.e Air Superiority... In short, the Japanese won't get a good deal selling them.

 

[gambit]

Did they found the one that crashed in the sea?

Do not worry about the one lost, instead, worry the more incoming for they WILL tilt the balance of airpower in Asia away from China.

 

[LeGenD]

Did they found the one that crashed in the sea?

Yes, but it was recovered in parts though.

Japan will now import F-35 units from US instead of manufacturing at home.

 

[maithil]

With more than 100 F-35, Japan will have best airforce in Asia. Miles ahead of others.

 

[nahtanbob]

Milking Japan..

100+ F-35s for $20 billion
It is steep. but i will take it any day

 

[Shabi1]

They were earlier resisting a F-35 purchase and pushing for a revived F-22 with updated avionics from F-35.

Does this mean the end of F-3 Japan's own stealth fighter program, because after this doesn't seem it will proceed beyond more than a technology demonstrator as funds will be a issue.

Yes. The more interesting news may be where those F15s are going.

They will probably be bought for spare parts by a existing operator.

 

[The SC]

By buying this considerable number of F-35s from the US Japan will get some very sensitive technologies for its own stealth program that it couldn't get otherwise.. that is how it works with the US..

100+ F-35s for $20 billion
It is steep. but i will take it any day

Of course.. I made my comment jokingly because everytime Saudi Arabia buys expensive high tech systems from the US..a lot of guys come up with the milking rhetoric.. but now they play dead..

 

[gambit]

Does this mean the end of F-3 Japan's own stealth fighter program,...

No, it does not.

This purchase is about providing an IMMEDIATE airpower capability that is technologically higher than potential threats. If JPN decides to continue with an indigenous low radar observable platform, that would be a longer term goal where the F-35 would serve as a tactical foundation for that indigenous 'stealth' fighter. We are looking at about 10 yrs minimum down the road so anything could change, but in my opinion, JPN as a technology peer to the US would be foolish to abandon any plan for an indigenous 'stealth' fighter.

An attractive alternative is collaboration. The F-35 as a platform is fixed. The jet can have improvements in terms of components advancement 'blocs' like the F-16, but the jet as a technology milestone is done. The F-35 was a US-led project. A true collaborative effort between the US and JPN would produce a '6th-gen' fighter that would outclass anything China can produce for the foreseeable future.

 

[WarKa DaNG]

Do not worry about the one lost, instead, worry the more incoming for they WILL tilt the balance of airpower in Asia away from China.

It's the lost one which cannot be found are worrysome