After the F-15Js….

The Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) has always had a good American-made postwar fighter-interceptor force to help defend their skies, and the main threat was obviously from Soviet invasion and air attack. That Cold War threat has diminished now, and new doctrine in Japanese defence thinking is emerging.

Questions arise:

What will follow the Fleet of F-15s they currently operate?

When will they start to retire the F-15s?

Are they NOW capable of developing their own new 5th generation fighter after lessons from the F-2 program?

And will they maintain a dedicated interceptor force, or switch to a multi-role type?

-ends-

(p.s. Some personal news… I am back now, but still very busy with other priorities. Having spent May 15~June 2 in Japan, and the last 3 weeks with my fianceé here in Australia, everything is going well, but it is hard to see her go again. Have only been engaged since May 30, and now hoping her Visa won’t take long so she can come back ASAP. Then a wedding to plan… 🙂 Very happy! Hope everyone has been well.)