Japan approves plans to start selling stealth fighter jets to other nations

Asia-Pacific, News March 27, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

In a rare move to step away from the country’s pacifist principles established since the end of World War II, Japan’s cabinet approved a proposal on March 26, 2024, to offer the international sale of its future next-generation fighter jets, which are being jointly developed with Britain and Italy.

The Cabinet also approved a modification to Japan’s guidelines on arms equipment and technology transfer, permitting the sale of co-produced lethal weapons to countries beyond the participating partners. Based on this decision, Japan would enter the international arms sales market.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the changes are necessary given Japan’s security environment, but stressed that Japan’s pacifist principles remain unchanged.

“In order to achieve a fighter aircraft that meets the necessary performance and to avoid jeopardizing the defense of Japan, it is necessary to transfer finished products from Japan to countries other than partner countries,” Hayashi told reporters, adding that Tokyo will follow a strict approval process for jet sales. “We have clearly demonstrated that we will continue to adhere to our basic philosophy as a peaceful nation,” he said.

This recent development comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s scheduled official visit to the U.S. in April. During the visit, he is anticipated to emphasize Tokyo’s alliance with Washington and Japan’s willingness to engage more actively in defense partnerships.

Concept design of Japan's F-X sixth-generation stealth fighter jet — *^{Concept design of Japan’s F-X sixth-generation stealth fighter jet. (Image Credit: Japan MOD/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)}*

Sixth-generation fighter jet

Japan, had been working on a next-generation homegrown fighter jet design, called the F-X, for quite some time. The F-X is Japan’s first indigenously developed stealth fighter. Japan will spend $48 billion (around 5 trillion yen) on the project, including development and production costs, to build approximately 90 aircraft.

In December 2022, Japan joined a collaborative effort Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) between the UK and Italy known as the Tempest Project, aimed at developing a new fighter jet integrating artificial intelligence and advanced sensor technology to support pilots. These jets are anticipated to be operational by 2035, marking Tokyo’s initial venture into defense equipment development in partnership with a nation other than the U.S.

GCAP plans to merge Japan’s F-X fighter jet development program and the British-led Future Combat Air System project, the Tempest jet program, into a single venture. Britain’s BAE Systems, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Italy’s Leonardo will lead the design of the aircraft.

The sixth-generation fighter jet program aims to leapfrog the capabilities of the world’s most advanced fighter jets such as the F-35, F-22, J-20, and Su-57. After completion, the Tempest fighter jet would be used by the UK, Swedish, and Italian air forces as the primary aerial asset, while Japan would incorporate its version, the F-X fighter jet, into its aerial fleet.

*^{UK Royal Air Force’s next-generation combat aircraft Tempest. (Image Credit: UK RAF)}*

Fast-paced development for the next-generation fighter jet comes at a time when Europe is facing a security challenge from Russia while Japan is struggling to keep up with China’s increasing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region along with North Korea’s increasing attacking capabilities.