Japan grapples with fighter jet deployment deadline and contemplates temporary solutions, insiders disclose
Japan's Next-Gen Fighter Project with Britain and Italy Lags, Potential Shopping Spree for F-35s or F-2 Upgrades
A potential delay in Japan's joint project with Britain and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet has created uncertainty, prompting Japan to zero in on backup plans involving purchases of F-35 stealth planes or upgrades to older F-2 jets. Sources close to Japan's air defense discussions have shared these concerns.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), initiated in 2022, was envisioned for a 2035 rollout. However, inadequate urgency from Britain and Italy could push the rollout well beyond 2040, according to one of the sources.
As the GCAP project falls behind schedule, Japanese officials are examining the possibility of procuring more F-35s, priced around $100 million each. Such a move could serve as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump.
While specific numbers and a timeline regarding F-35 purchases are yet to be decided, the Japanese trade chief has hinted that defense equipment purchases could be part of trade talks. "Japan's purchase of defense equipment would contribute to the U.S. trade surplus, so in that sense, it could be considered," Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief trade negotiator, said Thursday.
In 2019, Japan placed an order for 105 F-35s, making it the aircraft's largest overseas buyer with a total of 147 on order. The U.S. President may again welcome Japanese purchases of American military hardware, as suggested by a report from the Asahi newspaper, following a recent discussion with Ishiba about Boeing's planned F-47 fighter jet.
If the GCAP project does indeed encounter delays, the Japanese government must begin planning to ensure it has enough jets to counter Chinese and Russian planes that regularly challenge its air defenses. Another option is to extend the operational life of its older F-2 fleet through upgrades.
However, the Japanese defense ministry's acquisition agency maintains that the 2035 rollout target remains unchanged, and no plans for additional F-35 orders have been formulated. Additionally, neither the British nor Italian governments have provided a response to requests for comment on the matter.
The GCAP project aims to create a sixth-generation fighter jet free from the operational restrictions often associated with U.S.-made military equipment. The program is being coordinated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. In Japan, the GCAP is meant to replace the F-2, a U.S. F-16 variant, while in Britain and Italy, it will replace Eurofighter Typhoon jets that are expected to remain operational until the 2040s.
- Amid the potential delay in the GCAP project, there might also be a surge in interest in sports like cricket and politics, as Japanese officials may find themselves needing to negotiate deals for the F-35s, symbolizing a shift from technology and sports (such as developing the sixth-generation fighter jet) to diplomacy.
- If Japan decides to purchase more F-35s, it could spark debates in the realm of politics and technology, raising questions about the country's military spending and its strategy for countering threats from neighboring countries, while sports enthusiasts could argue that the funds could have been invested in developing Japanese sports sectors instead.
