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This order would include a version of the aircraft that could take off and land vertically, which could prompt Japan to convert some of its existing vessels into aircraft carriers to enable it to operate at sea – a capability they have not had since World War II, told CNN a source close to the F-35 program.
"Thanks to a short takeoff vertical landing capability, you can now operate at sea. You are able to penetrate areas and reach shorter distances, which is an ability to important, "said the source.
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The Japanese Ministry of Defense has not confirmed the agreement, but has indicated that it would seek to purchase a "highly competent combat aircraft" when its "defense maintenance plan halfway through". "must be approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December.
The ministry said nearly half of its current fleet of F-15J fighter jets could not be upgraded, making the purchase of new aircraft more important. "At this stage, the concrete model has not yet been decided," the ministry's press office said.
But a source close to the US F-35 program confirmed to CNN that an agreement was in place for Japan to buy about 100 of the stealthy single-engine F-35s.
The Pentagon claims that the F-35, equipped with the most advanced avionics, engines, and weapons in the world, is "the most affordable, lethal, endurable, and manageable aircraft in the world. life".
The F-35Bs, capable of short take-offs and vertical landings on a warship, confirmed the source.
Adding credibility to the report, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Wednesday that Tokyo is seriously considering relocating at least one of its Izumo helicopters. destroyers to receive jets, essentially transforming one or both of the 27,000-ton ships into aircraft carriers.
"As it is valuable equipment that we already have, I think it would be desirable to use it for as many purposes as possible," said Iwaya. during a press conference held at the conclusion of a cabinet meeting.
Nikkei News Service The value of the agreement on fighter jets rose to $ 8.8 billion and that of each plane to $ 88 million
. This decision, which critics say would violate the country's post-war pacifist constitution, comes as part of the Chinese navy's expansion into the Pacific Ocean. In August, a white paper on Japanese defense highlighted concerns about the evolution of security in Asia.
"The rapid modernization of the People's Liberation Army by China, the strengthening of its operational capabilities and the unilateral escalation of activities in areas close to Japan raise serious security concerns. told CNN that Timothy Heath, a senior defense badyst at RAND Corp, said China's ambition to dominate the Asia-Pacific region had "enormous implications for Japan." [19659004"ItisinJapan'sinteresttosetupanarmycapableofdissuadingChinafromtakingill-consideredmeasuresandhelpingothercountriesfindabalancebetweenpoliticalandmilitarypowerandpower
At the same time, the unconventional approach of the Trump Tokyo administration and its military alliances left Tokyo with a sometimes unsettled sense of the extent of United States in recent months. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged East Asian military allies to pay for their own defense, teasing the end of the US military presence in the region while encouraging Japan to buy them. more. American weapons.
The F-35, in particular, is one of Trump's favorites, who publicly touted international sales of the device as a success for his administration and praised the foreign executives who bought the fifth-generation apparatus.
Japan's commitment to buy new F-35s is in part an attempt to reaffirm its military partnership with the United States, according to the program's close source, which noted that the Aircraft not only enhances its capabilities, but facilitates strength in allied partnerships.
"The president has been very focused on military partnerships, industrial partnerships, and industry partnerships, and Japan is certainly a powerful partner for the US military when we look at the F-35 from Japan, I think this is a result of the very strong military partnership between the United States and Japan, "the source told CNN.
& # 39; Push the front line of maritime engagement & # 39;
According to sources, the new agreement between Japan and the United States would include two of the three variants of the F-35, models A and B. The third, the F-35C, is designed to be used on the largest aircraft carriers of the US Navy.
The F-35A, of which Japan already has 10 aircraft, including 32 additional on a pre-existing command, are conventional jet planes, using a runway to take off and land.
The F-35Bs have a short takeoff and vertical landing capability, which means that they can use smaller airports or operate from warships to flattop. The US Marine Corps uses F-35Bs aboard US Navy amphibious badault ships, sometimes called baby carriers, as they are about half the size of the Nimitz-clbad aircraft carriers from the US Navy.
The Japanese Navy Self Defense has two of these types. the ships, Izumo and her twin ship, the Kaga, each are capable of carrying 14 helicopters and would need to be refitted to accommodate the F-35B aircraft.
While the main role of the Japanese army remains the defense of its original islands, "this could push the front line of maritime engagement further than before" said Corey Wallace, security badyst for Asia at the Freie University of Berlin, citing the possibility of Japan's acquisition of F-35 B.
"Will this hinder the China? Probably, but only to the extent that it further complicates the projection of Chinese military power into the Southwest maritime area around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, "said Wallace.
An article published Wednesday in the Chinese Global Times newspaper, published by the Chinese government, indicates that the redevelopment of Izumo-clbad ships and the purchase of the F-35Bs "essentially alter the nature of the warships". A defensive ship to an offensive group ". [19659004] The story continues: "Japan must not forget its infamous history of invading countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region during the Second World War."
China's response to the F-35, the stealthy twin-engine J-20 of national construction. jet, entered the P The Army fleet of air liberation army in February. It is not known how many Chinese J-20 currently have ships in service in their fleet.
Carl Schuster, former US Navy captain and now a professor at Hawaii Pacific University, said the F-35Bs on a Japanese warship "add a new dimension" and "deterrent" to the situation in the Pacific.
But Schuster says that a refurbished Japanese carrier will probably only carry six to eight F-35Bs, against two dozen planes bound for Chinese carriers. currently in sea trials or in production.
Schuster also warns that it could run out three or four years before the new F-35s ordered reach the Japanese fleet, unless the Tokyo orders are given priority over the others. aircraft buyers.
The Power of Numbers
Twelve nations other than Japan and the United States participate in the F-35 program, including two – Australia and South Korea – in the region of the Pacific, according to Lockheed Martin, who is building the plane.
Japan enjoys the advantage of being one of three final badembly points for the F-35, the others being in Texas and Italy.
And this is the common point between Japan, the United States and their allies on the F-35 that brings strength but also understanding.
Wallace stated that American F-35s operating from Japanese ships and / or Japanese F-35s flying over American ships could be exploited in the future.
The United Kingdom, one of the other two countries to operate the F-35B, has an American version. the aircraft operating from its aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
But Wallace also cautioned not to overemphasize the importance of a Japanese carrier.
"This new singular carrier will not carry enough planes, nor will it be able to launch jets with enough ammunition to conduct strike or bombing missions that would truly threaten mainland China, given the power of its own defenses, "he said.
The F-35B will increase the opportunities available to Japanese defense planners.
"The F-35B can work f Thanks to modified runways or makeshift aerodromes, the Japanese Air Defense Forces (ASDF) have more opportunities to operate from smaller, more distant Japanese islands. is very important for survivability and response if the main airbases are taken out of service during a saturation attack by missiles, "he said.
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