The US State Department has agreed to approve a sale of 105 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and related equipment to the Government of Japan for $23.11bn.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible foreign military sale (FMS).

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Under the sale, Japan is also seeking the delivery of 63 F-35A conventional take­-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, 42 F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, 110 Pratt and Whitney (P&W) F135 engines and electronic warfare systems.

Additionally, the sale includes command, control, communications, computers and intelligence/ communications, navigation and identification, as well as autonomic logistics global support system, flight mission trainer, weapons employment capability, F-35 unique infrared flares, and F-35 performance-based logistics.

The US will also deliver flight test instrumentation, aircraft ferry and tanker support, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, technical data and publications, training equipment, technical and logistics support services, in addition to other logistics support elements.

Once delivered, the aircraft will augment Japan’s operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defence capability.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The F-35 JSF will replace Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) F-4 aircraft.

The proposed sale supports the foreign policy and national security of the US by enhancing the security of a major non-Nato ally, maintaining Asia-Pacific region’s political stability and economic development.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas, and P&W Military Engines in East Hartford, Connecticut, will be the prime contractors for the sale programme.

Post-delivery, the US representatives will conduct Contractor Engineering Technical Services (CETS) and Autonomic Logistics and Global Support (ALGS) in Japan.

In April this year, the US Air Force’s (USAF) B-1B Lancer conducted bilateral joint training with JASDF F-2s and F-15s off the coast of northern Japan.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact