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The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Japanese: 航空自衛隊, Hepburn: Kōkū Jieitai), JASDF (空自, Kūji), also referred to as the Japanese Air Force, [2] is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warfare. [3]
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of stealth multirole fighters that first entered service with the United States in 2015. The aircraft has been ordered by program partner nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, and also through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, including Japan, South Korea, and Israel.
This was the first time that French Air Force fighter jets have visited Japan since World War II. In July 2021, Japan’s Defense Minister, Nobuo Kishi, announced that the base will host the F-35Bs of the JASDF. A total of 42 F-35B variants will be acquired, introducing 18 by FY2023, six in FY2024 and two in FY2025.
The F-35 first flew in 2006 and entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B in July 2015, followed by the U.S. Air Force F-35A in August 2016 and the U.S. Navy F-35C in February 2019. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] The aircraft was first used in combat in 2018 by the Israeli Air Force . [ 13 ]
Between October to November 2024, Kaga conducted F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter developmental tests off the coast of California in preparation for the arrival of Japan's own F-35Bs. [22] The F-35Bs were from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 of the US Navy and the pilots were from the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF).
The United States Marine Corps plans to operate their own STOVL F-35s from Izumo-class ships in cooperation with the ship's crew to build up a Japanese capability to operate this type of aircraft. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has ordered 42 STOVL F-35Bs in 2019 and will operate them from land bases once delivered.
Japan's aircraft carrier JS Kaga completed sea trials off the California coast Friday. The light aircraft carrier was refitted with a flight deck to carry F-35B stealth fighters.
A small protest took place at Yokosuka after Izumo ' s departure, under the belief that the deployment of an aircraft carrier was a violation of Japan's defense-only policy. [20] [21] The destroyer Sazanami also joined the mission. [22] In 2020, Izumo began the conversion to operate F-35B fighter aircraft. [23]