Japan chooses Mitsubishi as main contractor for development of stealth fighter
Defense Ministry requests 58.7 billion yen in 2021 budget for research and development of the plane
Defense Minister of Japan Nobuo Kishi Visits MCAS Iwakuni, by Cpl Angelo Sagum, identified by DVIDS
Japan has chosen Mitsubishi Industries as the main contractor for development of its indigenous stealth fighter that will be introduced in the 2030s, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said last Friday. Separately, Mitsubishi announced that it is suspending its civilian aircraft project due to uncertainty in the travel sector because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The next-generation plane, currently called the F-X, is part of the Japanese upgrade of its aging fighter fleet as the country builds up its military capabilities to cope with rising threats from China and North Korea. The next-generation stealth fighter will replace the F-2 planes that Japan developed together with the United States. They are supposed to be retired around 2035. The Defense Ministry is requesting 58.7 billion yen in the 2021 budget for research and development of the plane.
Mitsubishi will decide on other participants in the project including manufacturers of avionics, engines and other parts. Japan is also considering the development of individual parts with foreign contractors, including ones in the US and in Britain. The Air Self-Defense Force has about 290 fighter planes in its fleet, and it is also replacing its F-4 planes with dozens of F-35 planes in order to strengthen its deterrence.
Tokyo's acquisitions of American weaponry have helped reduce its trade surplus with the US while meeting the demands of US President Donald Trump to do more to pay for its defense. But the acquisitions sparked concern over the weakening of efforts to strengthen the country's defense industry.
Defense Ministry requests 58.7 billion yen in 2021 budget for research and development of the plane
Defense Minister of Japan Nobuo Kishi Visits MCAS Iwakuni, by Cpl Angelo Sagum, identified by DVIDS
Japan has chosen Mitsubishi Industries as the main contractor for development of its indigenous stealth fighter that will be introduced in the 2030s, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said last Friday. Separately, Mitsubishi announced that it is suspending its civilian aircraft project due to uncertainty in the travel sector because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The next-generation plane, currently called the F-X, is part of the Japanese upgrade of its aging fighter fleet as the country builds up its military capabilities to cope with rising threats from China and North Korea. The next-generation stealth fighter will replace the F-2 planes that Japan developed together with the United States. They are supposed to be retired around 2035. The Defense Ministry is requesting 58.7 billion yen in the 2021 budget for research and development of the plane.
Mitsubishi will decide on other participants in the project including manufacturers of avionics, engines and other parts. Japan is also considering the development of individual parts with foreign contractors, including ones in the US and in Britain. The Air Self-Defense Force has about 290 fighter planes in its fleet, and it is also replacing its F-4 planes with dozens of F-35 planes in order to strengthen its deterrence.
Tokyo's acquisitions of American weaponry have helped reduce its trade surplus with the US while meeting the demands of US President Donald Trump to do more to pay for its defense. But the acquisitions sparked concern over the weakening of efforts to strengthen the country's defense industry.
