Japan eyes F-35B

JASDF F-35A 89-8706 (15-5159, AX-06) during its official roll-out ceremony at Misawa on February 24. Lockheed Martin THE JAPANESE government is considering acquiring F-35Bs to defend remote islands and operate from fixed-wing capable assault ships. If proceeded with, Japan could begin to introduce the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighters from around Fiscal Year 2024, perhaps as a successor to the F-15. Japan has already ordered 42 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35As to replace its F-4 fleet and