Yomiuri Shimbun is reporting that Tokyo intends to replace some aging F-15Js with the F-35B and defense officials are mulling the exact number to buy in the next Medium Term Defense Program.
By U.S. Navy photo/Released [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The jets are to be operational by fiscal 2026 with delivery starting from 2024. The same report added that the number of F-35As will be boosted from the current 42.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has also commissioned a study on enhancing JS Izumo’s aircraft operational capability, with a view of modifying it for F-35B operations.
As for 102 F-15Js that were previously upgraded, the plan is to further enhance them with new avionics.