The Japanese Minister of Defense, Taro Kono, stated on 31 July that the Ministry of Defense was looking into the drafting of a framework agreement for international collaboration for the… Continue reading "Development of F-2 Replacement To Emphasize Freedom Of Modification"
On 28 July, Boeing announced that it had signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to support the upgrading of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s F-15Js.… Continue reading "Boeing Partners With Mitsubishi Heavy Industries For F-15J Upgrades"
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced today the suspension of plans to deploy two Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense systems, owing to costs and technical issues. The Minister abruptly announced… Continue reading "Japan Suspends Aegis Ashore Plans"
Japan has joined the growing number of countries investing in hypersonic missile systems. The Japanese defense ministry plans to develop hypersonic missiles and new warheads and deploy the first systems in… Continue reading "Japan Pursues Hypersonic Missiles for Remote Island Defense"
On 9 March, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew its final training sortie in their RF-4E and RF-4EJ Phantom IIs. The sortie was flown from the… Continue reading "Farewell Japanese Photo Phantoms"
The Japanese government has begun preparation work for the construction of a military airfield and its supporting facilities on Mageshima. Kyodo reports that the Japanese government currently plans for construction… Continue reading "Japan Announces Development Plans for Mageshima"
Japan has reversed course on its decision to cease local assembly of its F-35 fighters, according to Nikkei. The Japanese government had previously decided to cease local assembly of F-35s… Continue reading "Japan Considering Continuing Local F-35 Assembly"
Taurus GmbH has proposed integrating their KEPD 350 air-to-surface cruise missile onto the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force’s (JASDF)F-2A multirole aircraft at the DSEI Japan exhibition in Chiba, Tokyo. Scale models… Continue reading "Taurus Proposes KEPD 350 For Japan’s F-2As"
On 12 November, Kongsberg revealed that it had been awarded a follow-on contract to deliver Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s F-35 fleet worth 450… Continue reading "Japan Awards Kongsberg Follow-On Contract for Joint Strike Missile"
On 6 November, Kawasaki Heavy Industries launched the Tōryū diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK), pennant number SS-512, at a ceremony held at Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Kobe Works shipyard. The ceremony was… Continue reading "Kawasaki Heavy Industries Launches Tōryū SSK"