Japan’s much-anticipated deployment of the first six F-35B Lightning II fighters has hit a delay, pushing the original delivery date from March to at least April 2025.
The announcement, made by Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani during a Friday press conference, comes amidst a broader effort to modernize Japan’s defense capabilities and bolster its regional security posture.
While the delay poses logistical challenges, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) is taking proactive steps to ensure the aircraft’s smooth introduction.
Preparing for the F-35B Arrival
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) had planned to deploy the aircraft at Nyutabaru Air Base before the end of Fiscal Year 2024, which concludes on March 31.
To accommodate the revised timeline, the JASDF will establish a temporary F-35B squadron at Nyutabaru by the end of FY 2024.
Defense Minister Nakatani assured the public that the delay would not significantly impact Japan’s defense readiness.
“In order to minimize the impact, we will continue to work with the US side toward deployment and steadily advance the work to accept the temporary F-35B squadron that will be established this fiscal year,” Nakatani stated, cited from USNI News.
Additional deliveries of F-35Bs after FY 2025 remain on schedule.
Japan’s much-anticipated deployment of the first six F-35B Lightning II fighters has hit a delay, pushing the original delivery date from March to at least April 2025.
The announcement, made by Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani during a Friday press conference, comes amidst a broader effort to modernize Japan’s defense capabilities and bolster its regional security posture.
While the delay poses logistical challenges, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) is taking proactive steps to ensure the aircraft’s smooth introduction.
Preparing for the F-35B Arrival
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) had planned to deploy the aircraft at Nyutabaru Air Base before the end of Fiscal Year 2024, which concludes on March 31.
To accommodate the revised timeline, the JASDF will establish a temporary F-35B squadron at Nyutabaru by the end of FY 2024.
Defense Minister Nakatani assured the public that the delay would not significantly impact Japan’s defense readiness.
“In order to minimize the impact, we will continue to work with the US side toward deployment and steadily advance the work to accept the temporary F-35B squadron that will be established this fiscal year,” Nakatani stated, cited from USNI News.
Additional deliveries of F-35Bs after FY 2025 remain on schedule.
The Cause Behind the Delay
The delay is tied to the ongoing development of the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) software upgrade, a critical enhancement for the F-35 fleet.
This upgrade has been a bottleneck for deliveries, as the Pentagon paused production of the F-35 for both US and foreign customers throughout 2023.
While deliveries resumed in July 2024, the TR-3 upgrade remains incomplete and is expected to be finalized sometime in 2025.
Currently, delivered jets are limited to training duties, which aligns with Japan’s current needs as the F-35Bs enter the introduction-to-service stage.
In 2024, Lockheed Martin delivered 110 F-35 fighters globally, signaling progress in addressing the backlog caused by the production halt.
Integration with Izumo-Class Destroyers
Japan’s F-35B program is a critical component of its broader strategy to enhance naval capabilities.
The fighters will be deployed on the Izumo-class destroyer carriers, JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184), both of which are undergoing significant upgrades to accommodate F-35B operations.
These modifications include:
The JS Izumo is expected to complete its conversion by FY 2027, while the JS Kaga will follow by FY 2028.
Japan has already conducted two successful F-35B trials on these carriers using US Marine Corps aircraft and pilots.
These trials marked the first fixed-wing aircraft operations from Japanese military ships since World War II, symbolizing a significant leap forward for Japan’s maritime capabilities.
However, with the current timeline, Japan is not expected to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) for its F-35Bs aboard these carriers until 2029 or 2030.
This process could accelerate if Japan leverages training opportunities with partner nations, such as using allied ships or operational squadrons to qualify its pilots and aircraft.
Japan’s Growing F-35 Fleet
Japan’s acquisition of the F-35 highlights its position as the largest foreign customer of the program.
The JASDF has an order for 127 F-35 fighters, including 105 F-35A models and 42 F-35B models.
The F-35As are assembled at a final assembly and check-out (FACO) facility in Nagoya, while the F-35Bs are manufactured in Fort Worth, Texas, at Lockheed Martin’s production facility.
The integration of these advanced fighters represents a significant milestone in Japan’s defense modernization efforts, enhancing its air and naval capabilities amid increasing regional security challenges.
Beyond the F-35B program, Japan is actively bolstering its island defense capabilities.
This includes relocating 17 JGSDF V-22 Ospreys from Camp Kisarazu to Camp Saga in Kyushu. This move will enable closer coordination with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) based in Sasebo and provide additional support for disaster relief and emergency transport operations.
The relocation underscores Japan’s commitment to a multi-faceted defense strategy.
Looking Ahead
While the delay in F-35B delivery may be seen as a temporary setback, it reflects the complexities of integrating cutting-edge technologies into a nation’s defense infrastructure.
As Japan navigates these challenges, it remains focused on strengthening its military capabilities to address evolving security threats in the region.
With ongoing collaboration between the Japanese MOD and US partners, Japan is poised to achieve a modernized and robust defense posture well into the future.
