F-35 in Japan

Japan’s remaining fleet of 12 F-35As will remain grounded for the time being, according to the Japanese defense minister.

Japan stood up its first operational F-35A fighter squadron, the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, on March 29.

Tokyo is reviewing ceasing indigenous production of the F-35A to save costs.

The F-35 has always been seen as just an interim solution by Japanese defense planners as the aircraft cannot fulfill crucial operational requirements of the JASDF.

Japan’s cabinet has voted to buy over 100 extra F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Japan is going electromagnetic, with implications for Japanese security policy and the U.S. regional strategy.

The Japanese military is purportedly also mulling the purchase of F-35Bs, according to sources.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force deployed its first F-35A fighter jet this month.

The Japanese ministry of defense publicly confirmed that it will seek funds for new missiles in next year’s budget.

Japan will purportedly allocate funds to study the possibility of arming fighter jets with long-range air-to-ground missiles.

Is it time for Japan to acquire long-range cruise missiles?