JASDF may be in the market for more F-35s

Program progress, politics, orders, and speculation
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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 09:19

I'm not sure what you think we are here however I make it my business - if possible - to post as much information as has been posted & that is all I know. Others may know more/read Japanese to gain more knowledge but afaik all info is here.


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by knowan » 19 Dec 2018, 16:13

Corsair1963 wrote:2.) Will Izumo sister ship Kaga also modify into an Aircraft Carrier?


From what I remember reading, both ships will be modified.


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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 16:29

knowan wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote: 2.) Will Izumo sister ship Kaga also modify into an Aircraft Carrier?

From what I remember reading, both ships will be modified.

REUTERS said this from previous page this thread: "...The navy’s two large helicopter carriers, the Izumo and Kaga, will be modified for F-35B operations, the paper said. The 248-metre (814 ft) long Izumo-class ships...". Why is this not known?

CNN said this same day 18th: "... the two warships to be refitted, in the first five years….." Why does this need a repeat?


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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 17:36

Japan seeks drones, subs, F-35 jets as part of $243 billion defense-spending plan
19 Dec 2018 Mike Yeo

"...The long-awaited documents, released Tuesday afternoon Tokyo time and formally approved by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet, would see Japan spend almost $243 billion on defense over the next five fiscal years, which in Japan begins April 1 and ends March 31 the following year. Known as the National Defense Program Guidelines and the Mid-Term Defense Plan, or MTDP, the documents outline Japan’s defense policy and outlook for the next five fiscal years as the country grapples with the rising economic and military power by regional rival China and the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

The biggest news to come out of the MTDP was the confirmation that Japan will seek to add to its buy of an additional 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, which would include 42 F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing aircraft, although this was not much of a surprise, as Japan’s Ministry of Defense had briefed a number of reporters about the details prior to the guidelines' release.

But the MTDP provided more details, particularly that Japan plans to acquire 45 F-35s, including 18 "B" models over the next five years, with the remainder of Japan’s F-35 force being the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant. The F-35s will allow the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to up its number of fighter squadrons by one, to 13 total, most likely by converting the JASDF’s photo-reconnaissance unit into a fighter squadron as it retires the Mitsubishi RF-4 Phantom aircraft sometime in 2020....

Local industry to benefit
Japan’s defense industry is set to benefit from the procurement plans outlined in the MTDP, with several projects being handled by local companies. In addition to modifications of two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers to operate the F-35B…"

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia ... ding-plan/


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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 18:21

Japan Programs 105 More F-35s, Including STOVLs [more at the jump about how aircraft trickle into being]
18 Dec 2018 Bradley Perrett

"BEIJING—Japan has programmed the acquisition of a further 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings, including F-35Bs for operation from converted helicopter carriers. As an initial move toward the larger F-35 force, Japan will buy 45 aircraft of the type in the five fiscal years beginning April 1, 2019, including eight F-35As previously programmed.

Setting out its policy in a document published Dec. 18, the defense ministry also said it would drop local assembly of F-35s, which has been blamed for contributing to the high price Japan has been paying for the stealth fighters.

...Unlike most of the first batch of Japanese F-35s, those bought in fiscal 2019 and later will not be put together at the MHI final assembly and checkout plant at Nagoya. Instead, Japan will take them directly from Lockheed Martin, as most customers do.

The F-35As that Japan bought in fiscal 2016 cost $131 million each, compared with the price of $108 million the U.S. paid at about that time for deliveries from Lockheed Martin. Japanese media have pointed the finger at local assembly as a factor in the high price.

The Nagoya plant is being outfitted for maintenance, although Lockheed Martin has said that this alteration will not affect final assembly capacity. The ministry may have decided that, since MHI now knows how to put F-35s together, a process that will later be applied in overhauls, there is no longer much point in paying for such work during procurement...."

Source: http://aviationweek.com/defense/japan-p ... ing-stovls


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by steve2267 » 19 Dec 2018, 18:35

Makes me wonder about the price of those Italian stallions...

Belgium: Ummm... but we want the Fort Worth jets... They're cheaper than those Maseratti's...
Take an F-16, stir in A-7, dollop of F-117, gob of F-22, dash of F/A-18, sprinkle with AV-8B, stir well + bake. Whaddya get? F-35.


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by SpudmanWP » 19 Dec 2018, 19:33

The Italians were smart as the FACO is just that, an assembly plant. They did not try to make as many things locally as possible and will be converting the FACO to a major DEPOT when they are done with FACO duties. It will be used by many in the EU area so that their jets do not have to go to the US for major overhaul or repair.
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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 21:11

Good video with some Japanese 'word salad' prevarication about 'name calling' their modified for F-35B ops "IZUMO class flat deck destroyer helo carriers". <phew> Particularly I like the 'expert' commentary at the end saying the F-35B can only be used for Fleet Air Defence because it is limited and cannot carry out offensive ops due range limitations. I'm offended.
Analysis: "Aircraft Carrier"Plan in Japan's New Defense Policy VIDEO
18 Dec 2018 NHK

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news ... 193501157/


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by spazsinbad » 19 Dec 2018, 21:21

Japan OKs Extra F-35 Buy in Fighter Re-equipment Plans
19 Dec 2018 David Donald

"Japan’s cabinet has approved a major additional purchase of 105 F-35s to add to the 42 aircraft already on order. Significantly, the number includes 42 of the F-35B STOVL (short takeoff, vertical landing) version, which will operate from island bases along Japan’s western seaboard and two converted Izumo-class helicopter carriers. Japan also approved work to modify the vessels, Izumo and Kaga, to operate up to 10 F-35Bs each—including deck strengthening. The announcement confirms Japanese press reports that have been circulating since earlier in the year...."

Source: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... ment-plans


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by spazsinbad » 20 Dec 2018, 01:28

Carrier Izumo, F-35B plan by Takeshi Iwaya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HsVsss0h4o



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by knowan » 20 Dec 2018, 08:10

Given Japan will need to replace their F-2 and F-15 aircraft at about the time their F-35 order is completed, I suspect they might end up buying another 100-150 F-35s.

They may be hoping another 5th Gen aircraft becomes available by that point however.


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by Corsair1963 » 20 Dec 2018, 08:59

knowan wrote:Given Japan will need to replace their F-2 and F-15 aircraft at about the time their F-35 order is completed, I suspect they might end up buying another 100-150 F-35s.

They may be hoping another 5th Gen aircraft becomes available by that point however.




The new F-35's will replace all of the F-4's and F-15's. While, it is hoped a New 6th Generation Fighter will arrive in time to replace the F-2's.


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by Corsair1963 » 20 Dec 2018, 11:12

Makes you wonder the reaction of South Korea to the news??? Will they in turn place a large order for F-35's??? (a smaller one was expected)


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by sferrin » 20 Dec 2018, 15:37

Corsair1963 wrote:Makes you wonder the reaction of South Korea to the news??? Will they in turn place a large order for F-35's??? (a smaller one was expected)


Why? While there's no love between SK and Japan, they don't see each other as enemies. A shame they don't work on mending fences.
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by weasel1962 » 21 Dec 2018, 03:16

If one actually takes the KTX, you'd see the nice adverts about Dokdo or movies like admiral roaring currents...then one can understand how South Korea views Japan.


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