Japan’s first domestically assembled F-35 fighter was unveiled Monday ahead of the delivery by March of two of the aircraft to the Defense Ministry, which plans to deploy them at Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan.
That was reported by japantoday.com.
The conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A for the Japan Air Self-Defense force (JASDF) was unveiled at the site of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility in Nagoya in central Japan.
The factory in central Japan is one of two plants for final assembly and checks of the fighters outside the United States.
The Air Self-Defense Force plans to procure a total of 42 F-35 fighters, four of which Lockheed Martin Corp has manufactured and delivered to the ministry.
For the remaining 38, local manufacturers will supply engines and some parts, and Mitsubishi Heavy will assemble and check functioning, according to the ministry.
Kenji Wakamiya, senior vice defense minister, said it is important “to acquire F-35 fighters with advanced capabilities” amid increasingly tough security conditions and it will also help to strengthen technology in the domestic defense industry.