Development of tactical aviation of the Japanese Armed Forces

Japanese F-15J fighter jets

The Japanese Constitution imposes significant restrictions on military policy, the status, and employment of the Self-Defense Forces. However, it does not prohibit the implementation of various programs and the development of various branches and services. Specifically, the Japanese Defense Ministry is currently implementing several major programs aimed at modernizing and improving the Air Self-Defense Forces.

Current indicators

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is similar in purpose and mission to the air forces of other countries. However, there are some differences due to current restrictions and national security needs.

The primary mission of the VSS is to protect the country's air borders from various threats. They must also support units and formations of other branches of the armed forces during their combat operations. Taking these goals and objectives into account, the structure of the Air Force was formed and its composition determined. aviation parka.

According to available data, the VSS combat aviation comprises seven wings (regiments) with various types of aircraft. These comprise 12 squadrons with fighter-bombers of various models. During combat operations, they must be supported by squadrons for airborne early warning, reconnaissance, and other missions. Training and transport squadrons also play an important role in the VSS.

A pair of Japanese F-2As

The F-15J fighter, a special modification of the Japanese Armed Forces, is the primary combat aircraft of the Japanese Armed Forces. Seven operational squadrons operate approximately 200 of these aircraft. Approximately 150-155 units were ordered from the United States. The remaining aircraft were built under license and are designated F-15DJ.

Three more squadrons are equipped with F-2A/B fighters—a licensed, modified version of the American F-16 in both basic and combat-trainer configurations. There are up to 64 single-seat F-2As and fewer than 30 two-seat F-2Bs.

At the end of the last decade, the Armed Forces received their first American-made F-35A fighter jets. To date, 42 of these aircraft have been delivered. F-35Bs with short takeoff capability are also being purchased. So far, no more than 3-5 of these aircraft have been received from the manufacturer, but more are expected.

Fifth generation

It's worth noting that Japan joined the American F-35 fighter development and production program quite some time ago. Contracts were signed back in the early 2010s. Subsequently, Japanese industry assumed the role of supplier for a number of instruments and devices. Furthermore, an additional assembly line has now been established at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plant in Nagoya.

One of the first F-35A fighters for Japan

Currently, the F-35, in its two variants, occupies a central place in Japan's combat aviation modernization plans. Under existing contracts, Japan will receive a total of 147 of these aircraft, including 105 F-35As and 42 F-35B short-takeoff fighters.

The first orders for American equipment were placed at the beginning of the last decade. Since then, Japan has paid for the assembly of several aircraft annually. Depending on various factors, F-35 spending has fluctuated year after year, but stabilized several years ago. Thus, starting in 2022, each budget includes the purchase of eight F-35A aircraft. However, spending on the B-version fighters has not yet reached planned levels and is constantly changing.

To date, including the year ending in 2025, Japan has ordered 71 F-35A and 27 F-35B aircraft. This total represents 98 aircraft, or nearly two-thirds of the total production plan. The next orders, for 49 aircraft, are expected before the end of the current decade.

Despite all this, the United States has built and delivered less than a third of the planned number of fighters to Japan. Deliveries are expected to continue until at least the middle of the next decade. However, it cannot be ruled out that the procurement program will encounter various problems that will negatively impact its completion timeline.

According to the known plans of the Japanese Armed Forces, the new F-35A/B will gradually replace the current fleet. The arrival of a large number of new aircraft will allow the retirement of the obsolete and outdated F-15J/DJ and F-2A/B fleet. Several existing squadrons will undergo rearmament.

Distant future

Since the 2000s, the Japanese Armed Forces and industry have been exploring the possibility of creating their own next-generation fighter. The first result of this work was the experimental ATD-X, or X-2, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the mid-2010s. In 2016, it flew for the first time and facilitated a number of important research studies.

The work on the experimental X-2 formed the basis for the design of the full-fledged FX or F-3 fighter. Mitsubishi was expected to complete development of this aircraft in the early 1920s, with a prototype to be built in 2024-25. Serial production was planned to begin after 2030.

However, the overall complexity and cost of this project forced the Japanese Air Force to reconsider its plans. In December 2022, they announced the end of independent development of the new fighter. Instead, Japan decided to join forces with the United Kingdom and Italy under the new Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The corresponding agreement was signed in December 2023.

The GCAP program will reportedly be based on British and Italian developments on the BAE Tempest project, as well as Japanese work on the FX project. In 2024-2025, the three countries planned to conduct preliminary studies and define the key requirements for the future aircraft. Full-scale development is expected to begin in 25-26.

The design concept for the upcoming FX

It is expected that the use of existing technologies from existing programs will accelerate the design of the new GCAP aircraft. The first prototype fighter of the new type is planned to be built and flown in 2027-28. Serial production is expected to begin in the first half of the 1930s, and the aircraft will enter service in 2035. Whether all these plans will be achieved remains to be seen.

The full transition of combat units to the new GCAP aircraft will take place in the second half of the 1930s and possibly continue into the next decade. The new equipment will replace the remaining F-15 and F-2 fighters.

Planned development

Thus, despite all the restrictions, Japan is not abandoning the development of its Air Self-Defense Force. This process involves various activities, and its plans are outlined for the next 10-15 years. It is expected that this will allow the Air Self-Defense Force to maintain and improve all its key performance indicators in line with national security needs.

In the coming years, the Armed Forces intend to continue operating existing equipment of relatively older types. To this end, necessary mid-life and major repairs will be carried out to maintain performance and extend service life. However, some equipment will be gradually decommissioned.

A mockup of the future GCAP aircraft, 2024.

Several years ago, the VSS began operating the latest F-35A/B fighter jets. By the middle of the next decade, units are expected to receive nearly 150 of these aircraft. They will replace a significant portion of the current fleet. This replacement will maintain squadron strength at the required level and significantly improve their combat capabilities.

The next stage of the VSS modernization will be the procurement of advanced GCAP aircraft. This process is planned for the second half of the 1930s and will take several more years. It will lead to the complete retirement of obsolete equipment and, likely, to renewed growth in key performance indicators.

Through two modern programs, the Japanese Armed Forces will modernize their equipment and improve their capabilities. The average age of their equipment will also decrease, which will also have a positive impact on the overall situation. It's important to remember, however, that other branches of the Self-Defense Forces are developing alongside the Japanese Armed Forces.

The reasons and prerequisites for this development of the Armed Forces and other structures are quite clear. Japan is concerned about its security and intends to support its key partner, the United States. To achieve this, it requires modern armed forces with a wide range of various assets and systems to perform a variety of combat and support missions.

The list of potential adversaries of Japan and the United States is well known. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces are preparing for a hypothetical clash with the armed forces of China and North Korea. To do this, they require modern aircraft, ships of various classes, and a variety of strike and defensive systems.

While North Korea's armed forces are limited in capabilities, the People's Liberation Army of China is large and well-equipped. The presence of such a potential adversary places increased demands on the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. They are attempting to take appropriate measures, including purchasing new aircraft. The success of such programs will only be known in the medium term—in the 2020s and 30s.

Comments

[traveler 63]

Judging by the article, the Japanese squadron (60-70 aircraft) has more aircraft than our air regiment. So, by our standards, it's already a brigade. But that's their problem!

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Traveler 63

Judging by the article, the Japanese squadron (60-70 aircraft) has more aircraft than our air regiment.

According to the article, the Japanese Air Force squadron has 28-30 aircraft:

There are approximately 200 of these aircraft in seven operational squadrons.

[snow mountain]

Development of tactical aviation of the Japanese Armed Forces

How can we talk about aviation development if everything is purchased? Unless we buy even more? And the Americans will never allow them to develop their own aircraft; that's not why they fought them in the Pacific for four years.

[ASSAD1]

Together, Japan and South Korea are creating high-tech countries. Plus Israel.

[Hole puncher]

Quote: Schneeberg

What kind of development in aviation can we talk about if everything is purchased?

The F-2 and F-15J are locally produced. The F-2, incidentally, turned out much better than its predecessor, the F-16, and could have had good export prospects, but exports are prohibited in Japan.

Quote: Schneeberg

And the Americans will not allow them to create their own aircraft under any circumstances.

You are writing nonsense.

[snow mountain]

Quote: Puncher

You write nonsense.

And what else are they creating of their own, other than surface ships armed with American weapons?

[multi-category]

Quote: Schneeberg

And why do they create such things of their own?

They have almost all of their own ground forces' weapons, including their own helicopters, their own amphibious aircraft, their own version of the Phantom. The navy has its own submarines, the latest anti-ship missiles, and, in general, Japan remains the world leader in naval equipment. The Japanese also have their own space program.
Don't underestimate them. The 85 crisis hit them hard, but Japan still has considerable potential.

[snow mountain]

Our own helicopters, our own amphibious aircraft, our own version of the Phantom, the fleet has its own submarines, the latest anti-ship missiles

With American filling

[multi-category]

with very different ones. They have many of their own developments.

[Mustached Kok]

So what? The US is their direct economic and military ally; they can easily not only order equipment from the US, but also actively invest in new research and production.
It's not like our country, where we had money and were sold a limited amount of electronics at exorbitant prices to avoid creating competition. But now, because of sanctions, we're completely cut off from Western electronics supplies.

[snow mountain]

So what? The US is their direct economic and military ally, so they can easily order equipment for themselves.

It's okay. Weapons should be your own, not bought. Then you won't have to depend on anyone.

[AlAvis]

It is one thing to depend, quite another to cooperate.

[snow mountain]

Quote from Avis

It's one thing to depend, quite another to cooperate.

Collaboration can quickly end and turn, to put it mildly, into rivalry. But your own production is your own production, independent of both collaboration and rivalry.

[multi-category]

For some reason, not a word was said about the Japanese modification of the Phantoms
It's also not very clear why Japan hasn't purchased a number of F-18 or F-15EX from the US.
Besides, as far as I read the news, the Japanese have already lost at least 2 F-35s.
Finally, what F-35 variants are in is also important. The Japanese want both destroyer-based (a unique class of ship) and land-based variants. How many of each?

[Anthony]

It's a worrying situation. By the end of 2025, they'll have about 200 F15s, about 90 F2s (F16s), and up to 40 F35s (including the naval ones). That's quite a lot.

[Admiral Bezobrazov]

Complete dependence on the United States, not only in the production of aircraft and the supply of components, but also, most likely, in the remote blocking of control and targeting systems.

[Mustached Kok]

It's one thing when we're talking about a small army with only 10-15 fighters for the entire force. Then, yes, a lack of production will quickly lead to a loss of combat effectiveness.
But Japan is a major industrial country with one of the largest armies in the world (it's not called an army, mind you). Its air force already seems larger than ours. And with so much new equipment, its air force represents a dangerous force for us, one that will be difficult to counter (they have airborne radars, good anti-submarine aircraft, and are developing their navy).

[Cool90]

We have a larger fleet of aircraft: Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, Su-57 = 400 units (all produced in the 2010s) + MIG-31, Su-27 and MIG-29
The Japanese have 45 aircraft (2010-new), the remaining 250 (produced in the 90s-2000s, with the F-15 from the 80s-90s (40 years old)
It's hard for them to counter us with anything.

[AlAvis]

So, it's assumed that Russia will direct ALL its combat aircraft against Japan alone, forgetting about all other borders and adversaries? We only need to consider what we have in the Far East.

[Cool90]

so the aircraft can also fly additionally to airfields in the Far East,
but in the comment it was said that she would defeat us single-handedly with hats

[Kamil Fazliev]

So, the internals there are mostly Japanese. There's a mutual dependence there, because some of the high-quality electronics on American aircraft are of Japanese origin, and yes, Japanese aircraft models are usually more advanced than their American ancestors, and some are simply based on other models. The F2, for example, shares very few components with the F16; even the airframe is different, and the aircraft itself is heavier and larger, not to mention the differences in internals.