DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe United States announced Thursday that it has approved the sale of 105 F-35 stealth fighter aircraft to Japan for an estimated $23.11 billion. Japan had asked to buy 63 F-35A, the traditional version of the electronics-laden fighter aircraft, and 42 F-35B, the short-takeoff and vertical-landing version for aircraft carriers, the State Department said in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-approves-sale-of-105-f-35-stealth-fighter-jets-to-japan-75876/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkJapan’s announcement on the suspension of the deployment of Aegis Ashore missile defense systems marks a potential shift in the country’s security strategy. The turning point depends on the substitute for Aegis Ashore. The country is now considering pre-emptive strike capabilities as a possibility, targeting missile launchers in North Korea first instead of intercepting incoming […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-will-reorient-missile-defense-posture-as-aegis-ashore-is-suspended-75821/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkJapan has scrapped the deployment of a multi-billion-dollar US anti-missile system, the government confirmed Thursday, days after saying the program had been suspended. Interceptors for the Aegis Ashore system were to be placed in two regions under the costly and controversial program. But the government reversed course under pressure from local residents concerned about the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-confirms-scrapping-us-missile-defence-system-75766/

DefenceTalkELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE: In a demonstration of the U.S. Air Force’s dynamic force employment model, a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron launched from Ellsworth Air Force Base and integrated with the Japan Air Self Defense Force to conduct bilateral and theater familiarization training near Japan, April 22. The B-1 aircrew flew […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-1-plays-key-role-in-us-japan-bomber-fighter-integration-operations-75309/

DefenceTalkJOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM: In demonstration of the U.S. Air Force’s dynamic force employment model, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber flew from the continental United States and integrated with the Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force or JASDF) to conduct bilateral and theater familiarization training near Japan April 22. The B-1, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-japan-bomber-fighter-integration-demonstrates-dynamic-force-employment-75238/

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam: More than 100 aircraft will soar over the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia as U.S. forces, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) collaborates during exercise Cope North, Feb. 12-28. Approximately 2,000 military personnel will hone their […]

Vice Adm. Rick Williamson, deputy chief of naval operations for fleet readiness and logistics (N4), and Rear Adm. Masatomi Dairiki, director general of the Logistics Department of the Maritime Support Office, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, signed a revised framework to improve cooperation and interoperability for maritime logistics Feb 5 at the Pentagon. The JMSDF/USN […]

The first female student was admitted to Japan’s national naval submarine academy Wednesday after the end of a ban on women on the country’s submarines. Saki Takenouchi, 26, entered the academy in a western region of Hiroshima along with about 20 other men, after the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force overturned previous restrictions. “I hope not […]

Through partnerships with the U.S. Government, Spain, Japan, and Canada, Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) solid state radar (SSR) technology will provide front-line defense to nations around the world with cutting-edge air and missile defense capabilities. These nations are part of a growing SSR family of 24 platforms, ushering in the next generation of maritime and […]

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan: More than 60 aircraft and 300 personnel from the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine Corps participated in 18th Wing’s first WestPac Rumrunner exercise Jan. 10. With the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific and to further support a safe and secure region, the 18th Wing spent months designing WestPac Rumrunner […]