Japanese Ministry of Defense Announces Plans to Purchase F-35 Aircraft

The Japanese Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa has announced the selection of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the F-X program. The F-35 is produced by Lockheed Martin and powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine. The announcement includes 42 installed engines, spare engines and a logistics support program.

The Japanese government’s decision to select the F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) next-generation fighter makes Japan the second country to receive the F-35 through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales process, and the 13th F-35 customer.

“We are honored to be part of the Japanese F135-powered F-35 selection and look forward to supporting the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Japanese aerospace industry,” said Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “This program selection builds on the strong relationship Pratt & Whitney has with JASDF and Japanese industry over the past 30 years on the F100 engine powering their F-15 fighters.”

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney's press release.

Coverage:

• Pratt Wins Japanese Military Contract (Hartford Courant)
• Japan Picks Lockheed to Build Its Next Fighter Jet (New York Times)
• U.S. F-35 picked as mainstay fighter (Japan Times)
• Japan Fighter Buy Bolsters U.S. Leverage In Asia (Forbes)
• Lockheed hopes to press F-35 momentum (DoD Buzz)
• Japan picks Lockheed F-35 fighter as allies stress tight ties (Reuters)
• Lockheed Martin Wins Japan Order for 42 F-35 Fighter Planes (Bloomberg)
• Lockheed Lightning II Strikes in Tokyo (Aviation Week)
• Japan selects troubled F-35 as new fighter jet (AFP)
• Japan chooses Lockheed's F-35 as its next-generation fighter (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
• Japan swoops for F-35, shoots down Typhoon, F/A-18E/F (Flight International)