US approves sale of 105 F-35 stealth fighters to Japan

The United States has approved the sale of 105 F-35 stealth aircraft to Japan for an estimated $23.11 billion. Japan had asked to buy 63 F-35A, the traditional version of the electronics-laden fighter aircraft, and 42 F-35B, the short-take off and vertical-landing version for aircraft carriers.

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Key-Points

Washington gave its green light to the transaction, which will improve “the security of a major ally” in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is vital to US national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defence capability.

Japan’s 2020-2021 defence budget is a record $50.3 billion, aimed at funding purchases of fighter jets and missile defence as the country eyes the threat from North Korea and China.

In response to the rapid modernization of the Chinese military, Japan has decided to acquire a total of 105 F-35A aircraft over the next decade, in addition to 42 F-35B aircraft.

At the end of 2018, the Japanese government approved a five-year defence plan that includes the entry of two aircraft carriers into its arsenal – a first since the end of World War II.