Lockheed Martin announced on Monday that the Japan Ministry of Defense has selected the F-35 strike fighter as the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s next-generation fighter aircraft, following Japan’s F-X competitive bid process. Japan will order the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant, with its initial contract for four aircraft coming in Japan’s Fiscal 2012 that starts on April 1, according to the company. “We are honored by the confidence the Japanese government has placed in the F-35 and our industry team to deliver this fifth generation fighter to the Japan Air Self Defense Force,” said Bob Stevens, Lockheed chairman and CEO. Lockheed executives told the Daily Report last week that Japan is expected to purchase between 40 and 50 F-35As to replace its legacy F-4s, but has a total requirement for some 200 new fighters. Japan joins the nine F-35 partner nations (United States, Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Turkey), along with Israel, that are committed to acquiring F-35s.
The Air Force is now expecting delivery of the first VC-25B presidential transport by mid-2028, months ahead of its last official projection, a service spokesperson said this week. USAF also announced it is buying two used Boeing 747-8 jetliners for training and spare parts to be delivered in 2026, calling the $400 million deal part of its “acceleration efforts” for the oft-delayed presidential airlift program.
