US Approves $23.11 billion Sale of 105 F-35 Jets to Japan

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of 105 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23.11 billion.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy 63 F-35A Conventional Take­Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and 42 F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, the announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Thursday.

This is the single biggest foreign sale of the F-35 fighter jets. In preparation of the F-35B purchase, Japan has already started upgrading its Izumo helicopter carrier which is expected to house some of the STOVL jets.

The deal includes 110 Pratt and Whitney F135 engines (includes 5 spares). Also included are Electronic Warfare Systems; Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence/Communications, Navigation and Identification; Autonomic Logistics Global Support System, Autonomic Logistics Information System; Flight Mission Trainer; Weapons Employment Capability, and other Subsystems. Features, and Capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; reprogramming center access and F-35

The proposed sale of aircraft and support will augment Japan's operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability.

 The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-4 aircraft will be decommissioned as F-35s are added to the inventory. 

The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, Texas; and Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut.