Analysts interviewed by Defense News say Japan should focus on upgrading its F-15J fleet in order for it to work effectively with the F-35A.
By Cp9asngf (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Richard Aboulafia from Teal Group said: “The F-15 fleet will be the most important JASDF component for decades to come. In terms of range and payload the F-15s are hugely important, and upgrading them will be a very high priority. They’re synergistic with the F-35s. Upgrading the F-2 fleet is somewhat tertiary in terms of priorities.”
Steven Ganyard, president, Avascent International also agreed that upgrading the F-15J is the most logical scenario, since the JASDF’s F-15s have substantial life left.
“The threat to Japan is not Chinese fighters. It’s thousands of cruise and ballistic missiles that could easily cut off all Japan south of Kyushu. This most important reason to have both F-35s and upgraded F-15s with AESA radars is the cruise missile threat of low flying, low [radar cross section] missile salvos that could quickly become overwhelming.”