The Japanese Ministry of Protection introduced plans for a squadron at Chitose Air Base to transition from the F-15J to the F-35A.
The Japanese Ministry of Protection (MoD) has introduced plans for a squadron at Chitose Air Base, in Hokkaido, to transition to the F-35A Lightning II fifth technology fighter. Three squadrons of the brand new jet have already been assigned to Misawa and Komatsu air bases, with a complete of two squadrons deliberate at every base.
Chitose’s new squadron
The MoD chosen Chitose as the situation for its fifth deliberate squadron after a complete evaluate. Based on a file launched by the Ministry, key components behind the choice embody enough area to host the required amenities and assist infrastructure, good coaching situations (together with obtainable airspace and the flexibility to coordinate with different F-35A models) and environment friendly plane alternative.
Japan plans to accumulate 147 F-35s in whole, with 40 of them included within the present five-year protection buildup plan working from FY 2023 to 2027. The jets which have already been funded as much as FY 2024 will proceed to go to the squadrons at Misawa and Komatsu, and the eight which have been requested below the FY 2026 funds are deliberate to be the primary assigned to Chitose, with deliveries scheduled to start in FY 2030.
A full squadron of 20 plane will finally be based mostly at Chitose. It’s acknowledged that one of many pre-existing squadrons at Chitose, both the 201st or 203rd TFSs – each of which fly the F-15J/DJ, might be transitioning to the brand new jet, with the opposite protecting its older F-15s.
Because the F-35A will exchange the squadron’s F-15s on a one-to-one foundation, the whole numbers stationed on the base will stay roughly the identical. The MoD plans to start out surveys and design work for mandatory facility upgrades within the upcoming FY 2026, but it surely doesn’t anticipate main total personnel modifications.
JASDF F-35 Squadrons
The JASDF already has three squadrons working the jet: the 301st and 302nd TFSs based mostly in Misawa have operated the kind since 2020 and 2019 respectively, whereas the 303rd TFS based mostly in Komatsu simply started transitioning from the F-15J/DJ and function each varieties in the meanwhile.
It seems that models flying older airframes are being given priorities by way of the F-35A’s supply. The 301st and 302nd each operated F-4EJ Kais, whereas the 303rd operates pre-MSIP F-15s with much less capabilities in comparison with its counterparts at Naha, for instance.
Among the airframes at Chitose are additionally older models of the long-serving Eagle which have but to obtain MSIP upgrades.
The F-35 in Japan
Japan’s safety setting grew more and more advanced in recent times, with neighboring nations quickly modernizing their air forces, significantly within the introduction of recent varieties, some with stealth capabilities. International navy flights close to Japanese airspace have additionally grow to be extra frequent.
To bolster and strengthen defensive capabilities, Japan continues to broaden its fleet of F-35s with each the CTOL (Typical Take-Off and Touchdown) F-35A and STOVL (Quick Take Off and Vertical Touchdown) F-35B variants. These plane supply extra superior networking methods, increased survivability, and improved situational consciousness compared to the older F-15J/DJs and F-2A/Bs which are additionally in service with the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Protection Power).
Of the 147 deliberate jets, 105 are set to be the A mannequin with the remaining 42 being the B mannequin – making the nation the biggest non-U.S. operator of the kind worldwide. The deliveries of the F-35B began in 2025, with the plane working at Nyutabaru below a “Non permanent F-35B Flight Squadron,” though the MoD has disclosed plans to face up the primary everlasting unit because the 202nd TFS.
The nation can also be distinctive in that it homes one of many FACO (Last Meeting and Test-Out) amenities of the jet in Nagoya, operated regionally by MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries). Solely three such amenities exist worldwide, with the opposite two being in Italy and the U.S.
The FACO facility’s features embody the ultimate meeting of F-35A airframes (the JASDF’s B fashions are being constructed completely in Lockheed Martin’s Fort Price plant), flight testing, and MRO (Upkeep, Restore, Overhaul) for F-35 airframes within the Asia-Pacific area.
