Japan Plans to Buy New F-35 Stealth Fighters
- Abe to consider buying U.S. jets ready-made to cut cost
- Japan will take lead on developing F-2 replacement fighter
This article is for subscribers only.
Given the choice between pacifying U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and bolstering its domestic defense industry, Japan is promising to do both.
In a five-year defense plan approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet Tuesday, the government unveiled plans for additional purchases of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 stealth fighter. At the same time, Japan is pledging to play a leading role in development of another military jet to replace the F-2, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Lockheed.