Japan gearing up to acquire F-35 fighters instead of F-22s

Monday 23rd November, 07:00 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 41 Total Comments Show All

apecNetworks at 03:41 PM JST - 23rd November

My take on SDF fighter procurement is different. 3/4 of the alloted budget for new fighters should include some fighters other than the F-35. The remaining 1/4 of the budget should be used to lay the foundation for unmanned 6th Generation fighters and unmanned drones (special purpose drones). Preparation of the unmanned 6th Generation fighters should be designed so that a partner in the future can be incorporated to further the limited capabilities. SDF need not solve all technical aspects of fighter technologies - only those the SDF KNOWS that they can excel in manufacturing. The creation of an infrastructure is the FIRST priority.
lincolnman at 03:50 PM JST - 23rd November

This is just my two cents but I think the US would be willing to share the F-22 with the UK, but as Starviking mentions, they already have the Typhoon (a superb aircraft). The problem with Japan is that the GOJ can't protect their critical information - note the Aegis leak and other classified information problems. And they have no National Security Law, so they can only take administrative measures against someone who does leak - no criminal penalities.

Think the US wisely decided to keep at least some of the F-22s edge out of our enemy's hands.....
hakujinsensei at 05:16 PM JST - 23rd November

japan needs to learn to shut up and be a good child and daddy will be willing to give them good things. they demand far more recognition than they deserve as they posses nothing more than a simple value added economy that would dry up and blow away with a simple blockade. rather than fanning the flames of hypocrisy by being a pacifist nation begging for war planes, they should be deciding whether they want to become china's playground or the 51st state...
Starviking at 10:35 PM JST - 23rd November

Good points lincolnman, however as regards F-22 sales the problem is that an amendment that was tacked on to the US Defense Appropriations Bill back in 1997 bans the sale of the F-22 to any foreign government. The US couldn't even sell the F-22 to Canada if it wanted to.
Fadamor at 11:10 PM JST - 23rd November

"Daddy" was never going to give the "child" F-22s to play with. "Daddy" never said he would and never said he might. The "child" simply held on to his naive belief that if he wished HARD enough, then "Daddy" would give him what he wanted. Based on this article, itt sounds like the "child" has started to accept the reality of the situation.

If Japan is still using F-4EJ aircraft, then Japanese pilots are braver than most! In the Vietnam War, the F-4 was nicknamed "the flying brick".
Starviking at 11:52 PM JST - 23rd November

Fadamor,

that nickname was due to it's bulky appearance - the F-4 Phantom was an excellent aircraft for its time - notching up over 5000 sales.
JHansen at 12:15 AM JST - 24th November

Waste of money! In 25 years most military air craft will be man-less drones. Why doesn't Japan take the lead and develop a next generation drone? Oh yeah, because developing a system is bad, buying one is ok. Makes sense. That being said, no one is going to use the F-22s as even the US, with its bloated military budgets saw has wasteful that program is and has decided to scrap it.
Junnama at 12:28 AM JST - 24th November

Couldn't this money be spent on some useless bridge or dam somewhere?
kokuryu at 03:21 AM JST - 24th November

The F35s are dirt cheap to produce. I applaud the Japanese for going after the F35s. I hope they go for the STOVL version - a little more money for each aircraft, but you can put it down anywhere rather than requiring a standard airport for it. And in a country where space is a premium, they could produce some nice compact bases for them. I can understand why they are delaying - there are 4 standard versions of the craft, 3 sub-variants of each of the 4 standard versions, and then lots of optional mission equipment to choose from, and then they get to choose from 3 manufacturers as well. Good luck!
goddifist at 03:27 AM JST - 24th November

japan not even USA is getting the f-22 (cause of Obama)
sfjp330 at 04:15 AM JST - 24th November

The F35s are dirt cheap to produce. I applaud the Japanese for going after the F35s. Kokuryu

Comparing F-22 to F-35 is like Porche 911 Turbo to Nissan 370Z. The 370Z's are dirt cheap to produce and you get what you paid for. Problem is there is no comparison in every aspect of performance and don't underestimate the Russians and Chinese. This is a joke for the Japanese govenment and the future national security. Don't accept less than the top of the line F-22 with the U.S. If they cannot get the F-22, then Japan should set up their own R/D and start making their own fighter planes. I rather have fewer F-22's for the money than the dirt cheap F-35 anyday.
YuriOtani at 03:01 AM JST - 25th November

nedinjapan and others if Japan can defend itself they can give the finger to America with its bullying ways. I think buying the F35 is a bad ideal. America could always use the threat of withholding parts to make Japan conform. I think buying the Typhoon from the UK would be a better ideal better still would be building these aircraft under license in Japan for an economical boost. Am beginning to see America as a bully and not a true friend.
PepinGalarga at 03:53 AM JST - 25th November

US started development of the F-22's almost 30 years ago, and that was on the heels of successful F-14, F-15, etc. programs. They also had plenty of experience with advanced weapons, avionics, composites, etc.

Yes, Japan should begin their efforts now in anticipation of constitutional amendments down the road. Perhaps they should go 6th or 7th generation if they want to catch up.
apecNetworks at 05:58 PM JST - 25th November

Some readers may find this hard to fathom, but whenever I post on Japan's options in procuring armaments not of US origin, I actually get pressure from personnel associated w/ groups like the USAF - I do not go into sensitive detail on the subject. The issue seems hypersensitive, but discussed extensively on the internet. Or is it because it is being posted on JT, and my posts actually affect opinions?

It is important for the SDF to acquire the best fighter they can acquire in order for Article 9 to be credible. A fighter of adequate prowess can be a substantial deterrence, as well as can be used offensively under certain conditions. Given the fluidity of geopolitics in the region, it is imperative that the SDF gets the defensive tools to protect Japan. A top notch fighter for the next 20years would go a long way in keeping w/in the spirit of Article 9. Nuclear capabilities can still be developed, but deployment would have serious repercussions. Finally, technological developments in fighters are moving towards Japan's strengths in electronics, composites, manufacturing techniques - excellent time to utilize the technological strengths in Japan. I am sure the US will still be a major supplier of armaments no matter how things develops.
Newsmax at 07:49 AM JST - 26th November

Its a gutless decision if it proves to be true. More to do with Japan Kowtowing to the US. F-35 is not wanted by the RAF, let alone expected to fly much outside of US air space due to ITAR restrictions! Japan will have the same problem. 30+ hrs of maintenance for every 1 flying hr; and no tech support or parts due to US restrictions! Typhoon will fly at 6 times the rate of this and is 20million cheaper yet 8 times the carrying capacity of the puny F-35!