Japanese Ministry Of Defence Announces Plans To Purchase F-35 Aircraft

The Japanese defence minister Yasuo Ichikawa has announced the selection of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the F-X program. The F-35 is produced by Lockheed Martin and powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine. The announcement includes 42 installed engines, spare engines and a logistics support program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. Company.

The Japanese government’s decision to select the F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s (JASDF) next-generation fighter makes Japan the second country to receive the F-35 through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales process, and the 13th F-35 customer.

The F-35 programme will replace Japan’s aging F-4 fleet with highly advanced fifth-generation technology and capability. Procurement of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine also offers potentially significant engine industrial participation for Japanese industry.

Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines said, “Flight testing continues to validate the exceptional performance of the F135-powered F-35 and we look forward to powering Japan’s fleet of next-generation fighter jets.”