For the primary time, a British F-35B Lightning II landed on the Japanese JS Kaga throughout joint coaching as a part of CSG25.
British and U.S. F-35Bs landed on the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Pressure’s (JMSDF) JS Kaga helicopter-carrying destroyer. Though U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35Bs already landed on the Kaga throughout testing, that is the primary time for a British one.
The milestone comes because the Royal Navy and JMSDF are conducting joint maneuvers to observe mixed F-35 operations with the HMS Prince of Wales and the JS Kaga. The 2 ships linked up the British service wrapped up its participation in Train Talisman Sabre 25.
Particulars haven’t but been launched, with solely few images posted on-line by the Royal Navy. At the least two jets have been concerned, with images exhibiting a USMC F-35B adopted shortly later by a RAF F-35B whereas the previous was already on deck.
There’s a primary for the whole lot…
The first 🇬🇧 F-35B jet lands on a Japanese ship. #OpHighmast #CSG25 pic.twitter.com/87Y0vICdu8
— UK Provider Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) August 9, 2025
Joint F-35B operations
The HMS Prince of Wales is presently crusing on the Provider Strike Group 25 (CSG25) deployment, designated Operation Highmast, which additionally noticed it internet hosting F-35Bs from the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 242 “Bats” (VMFA-242). On Jul. 29, 2025, the Royal Navy introduced its service would hyperlink up with the JS Kaga.
The British and Japanese navies have been cooperating for fairly a while to arrange for the F-35B operations on the Izumo-class vessels. JMSDF officers beforehand visited the HMS Prince of Wales in November 2023 to check the F-35B’s operations throughout the UK’s Improvement Check 3 on the service.
🔷#OpHighmast🔷
EX with HMS Prince of Wales (@HMSPWLS) and #CSG25 is now underway!!!!A historic week of multinational cooperation begins—strengthening safety and interoperability throughout the Indo-Pacific.#CSG25 #AlliesAndPartners #Interoperability pic.twitter.com/U4owSu1ejN
— 防衛省 海上自衛隊 (@JMSDF_PAO) August 7, 2025
Afterward, JMSDF officers visited the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour plane service in August 2024 once more to check F-35B operations, when the warship was at Yokosuka Naval Base throughout its Indo-Pacific marketing campaign. The trilateral Italian, British and Japanese cooperation is much more vital now that each one three international locations shall be using each the F-35A and F-35B, whereas additionally cooperating on the GCAP program.
Worldwide relations in motion 🤝
UK 🇬🇧 and US 🇺🇸 F-35Bs land on the JS KAGA 🇯🇵.#CSG25 #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/5SMw0hF50h
— UK Provider Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) August 9, 2025
The F-35B in Japanese service
The Japan Air Self Protection Pressure Article (JASDF) lately obtained its first three F-35Bs out of 42 on order. These plane will in future function Japanese ships, with the Izumo set to begin F-35B operations in 2027, whereas the Kaga will induct it into service a 12 months later, in 2028.
The 2 plane carriers, that are domestically designated as DDHs (Helicopter-carrying Destroyers), are presently present process conversion to permit F-35B operations. The works began in 2022 and can see, amongst all modifications, a brand new rectangular flight deck changing the unique trapezoidal one.
The F-35B has undergone exams with Japanese vessels twice, with the Izumo conducting flight ops in 2021, whereas the Kaga only recently had a F-35B land on its deck. Each of those exams have been performed with non-Japanese jets and pilots.
Japan determined in 2018 to obtain 42 F-35Bs with the intention to strengthen its capabilities and function from its two plane carriers, small airstrips and distant islands. The plan was formally accepted in Japan’s 2019–2023 Mid-Time period Protection Program, and the procurement accepted by the US in 2020.
With 147 plane in service, Japan would grow to be the second-largest operator of the F-35 after the US. Japan additionally hosts in Nagoya one in every of three last meeting and check-out (FACO) services for the F-35 Lightning II program.
Nonetheless, Japan’s F-35Bs shall be produced within the U.S. at Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing facility in Fort Value, Texas. The FACO facility continues to carry out the ultimate meeting and check-out of F-35A plane to be delivered to the JASDF, in addition to Upkeep, Restore, Overhaul and Improve (MRO&U) actions for the North Asia area.
Japan plans to station the primary batch of F-35Bs at Nyutabaru Air Base, which is situated within the southern a part of the island of Kyushu, as a result of its shut proximity to the house port of the JS Kaga in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self Protection Pressure) Kure, in Hiroshima prefecture. A brief squadron has been established in preparation for the induction of the F-35B at Nyutabaru.
An airbase is being constructed particularly for the F-35B’s vertical landings on the uninhabited island of Mageshima, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Nyutabaru, however it’s anticipated to be prepared by 2030. In the mean time, the plane will keep and prepare at Nyutabaru.
