Tag - fighter-jets

 
 

FIGHTER JETS

A German Air Force Eurofighter jet takes off from Chitose Airbase in Hokkaido during Germany and Japan's first-ever bilateral fighter exercise, which ran from Monday to Thursday.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2024
Japan and Germany elevate ties with first joint fighter exercise
Named Nippon Skies, the aerial maneuvers took place in the airspace around the Air Self-Defense Force’s Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido.
A computer-generated image shows the new refined design of a next-generation fighter aircraft being co-developed by Japan, Britain and Italy.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 24, 2024
Japan has ‘no concerns’ over rumored hitch in joint fighter jet plans
While experts agree there are currently no indications that the U.K. might drop out of the program, the multilateral project still faces a number of challenges.
A full-scale model of the new design of a next-generation fighter that Japan, Italy and Britain plan to develop together is showcased Monday by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Leonardo and BAE Systems — the projects’ lead system integrators — at the Farnborough International Airshow near London on Monday.
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2024
Japan and partners unveil design for cutting-edge new joint fighter
While unlikely to be the final design, the refined concept features major changes in the wing and aft fuselage areas ostensibly meant to improve its aerodynamics.
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program fighter jet is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba in March last year.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2024
U.K. defense chief to discuss joint fighter program with Italy and Japan
There has been speculation that the Labour Party might not recommit to the next-gen fighter program in light of a defense review it recently announced.
Two Air Self-Defense Force F-15s (right) escort two German Air Force Eurofighter jets and an A330MRTT aerial tanker on their arrival in Japan Friday. The ASDF is conducting training exercises with the German, French and Spanish air forces this weekend.
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2024
German, French and Spanish fighter aircraft arrive in Japan for joint drills
The stopover in Japan is part of a two-month, trinational Pacific Skies deployment that will also take the three countries’ air forces to Australia, India and Hawaii.
U.S. Air Force F-35A fighter jets will be deployed at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2024
U.S. to upgrade Japan-based military aircraft
The U.S. Defense Department will spend over $10 billion to upgrade tactical military aircraft deployed in Japan over the next several years.
German and Japanese fighter jets take part in an exercise over Japan in September 2022.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2024
Japan to hold fighter jet drills with Germany, France, Spain in July
A contingent of more than 30 military aircraft from Germany, France and Spain will arrive in Japan next month to conduct a series of training exercises with the ASDF.
A rendering of the next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed and manufactured by Japan, Britain and Italy
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 25, 2024
Concerns raised over strength of Japan's fighter jet export 'brakes'
The closed nature of decision-making has been criticized, while worries persist over the potential use of Japanese equipment.
A Mirage 2000-5F jet fighter takes off from an air-base in France in March 2022.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 8, 2024
French Mirage jets to join U.S. F-16 in patchwork Ukraine air force
Kyiv hopes the defense upgrade will bolster its counteroffensive against Russia, but integration challenges remain.
A rendering of the next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024
Japan approves international treaty on next-generation fighter jet
Japan regards the envisioned aircraft as the successor to the Air Self-Defense Force's F-2 fighter.
The Air Self-Defense Force's T-4 jet trainers are expected to be replaced with a new trainer co-developed by Japan and the United States.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 22, 2024
Japan-made jet trainer plans dim after Kishida-Biden summit
Some lawmakers in Japan's ruling bloc have questioned the idea of joint development
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kaga vessel was unveiled Monday in the city of Kure, in Hiroshima Prefecture, after completing the first stage of work to turn it into a flattop for F-35B stealth fighter jets.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2024
MSDF unveils modified Kaga vessel refurbished for F-35B stealth fighters
The former helicopter carrier's flat deck has been given heat-resistant paint, new markings and a reshaped deck.
A boy watches Self-Defense Forces live-fire drills in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in 2017. Japan’s defense posture is shifting, as the government’s recent approval of new arms export regulations signals.  
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 1, 2024
Is Japan leaving pacifism behind?
How a previous generation of Japanese leaders, those who made defense budget and arms export limits a national credo, would view the current shift.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the 344th Army Aviation Center of aircrews combat training and transition in Torzhok in the Tver region of Russia on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 28, 2024
Putin says Russia will not attack NATO but will shoot down Ukraine's F-16s
F-16s sent for use in Ukraine's war effort and used from airfields in third countries would "become for us legitimate targets," the Russian leader said.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters after the Cabinet approval that Japan will remain committed to the "basic philosophy of a pacifist nation" by going through "strict decision processes" for exports.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 26, 2024
Japan eases weapon export rules to allow the sale of fighter jets
The move removes a hurdle for its joint project with Britain and Italy to develop next-generation warplanes.
Tokyo will forge ahead with a next-generation fighter aircraft it is jointly developing with Rome and London following an agreement last week between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, to revise Japan’s strict defense export guidelines.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Mar 18, 2024
Japan’s eased defense export rules open door to more changes
The speed at which the Kishida administration has been pushing through defense reforms has stunned many even as the regional security environment worsens.
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Programme's fighter jet is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba in March 2023.
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2024
Japan's ruling coalition approves export of future joint fighter jet
The step removes a potentially critical hurdle for the multinational Global Combat Aircraft Program involving the U.K. and Italy.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also LDP president, told an Upper House budget committee meeting that the government would put in place rigorous hurdles that must be cleared before the fighter jet’s export is approved.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 13, 2024
Kishida agrees on need for strict rules to export of fighter jet
Concessions by the LDP president could pave the way for a deal with junior coalition partner Komeito on a revision to Japan's defense export guidelines.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, speaking at an Upper House budget committee session on Tuesday, said that if Japan is unable to sell the new fighter to other countries, the joint project’s success could be undermined.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 6, 2024
Fighter exports crucial for ‘favorable security environment’: Kishida
The prime minister is seeking the backing of Komeito to revise export rules for fighter jets that Tokyo is seeking to build with Britain and Italy.
Japan, Britain and Italy have made headway in their joint next-generation fighter aircraft project, with industry officials saying that the partners are close to completing the aircraft’s conceptual design phase.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 26, 2024
Japan joint fighter program gains steam as firms zero in on conceptual design
The completion of the conceptual design phase will allow Japan, Britain and Italy to move to the next stage of the program next year.

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