Japan seeks 'future fighter' to help protect disputed island chain from China
Japanese defence officials will accelerate discussions with allies about the development of a new "future fighter" jet, underlining its concerns about Chinese challenges to its territorial claims on a remote island chain.
The new aircraft is earmarked to replace the F-2 fighter, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin but based heavily on the F-16 Fighting Falcon used by the US military. The last of the 98 F-2 jets will be retired around 2035.
Japan has also committed to buying 147 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning aircraft but insists development of its newest fighter must be led by domestic firms with input from foreign manufacturers, likely from the US or the UK.
Defence officials want a prototype available for testing as soon as 2024, national broadcaster NHK reported, and for mass production to start by 2031. A list of requirements, to be finalised this month, is expected to include advanced stealth capabilities. A domestic manufacturer will be announced this year, according to the new timetable, with an international partner selected within the next 12 months, NHK reported.
According to Garren Mulloy, a professor of international relations at Daito Bunka University, the new fighter will complement the F-35, which was selected for political reasons but did not ultimately meet the needs of the Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF).
"In October 2011, the government published a long and detailed explanation of why it was choosing the F-35 over the Typhoon, the Rafael or the Super Hornet, which were all already operational, while the F-35 was still in the early stages of testing," he said.
"One of the main reasons behind the decision was they thought it would help to develop Japan's aviation sector but the F-35 is not the aircraft the ASDF wanted. The ASDF wanted a twin-engined, long range aircraft that is especially capable of operating over water."
Japan's concerns focus on the air space around outlying territories, primarily the remote islands in Okinawa Prefecture claimed by China and known as the Diaoyutai archipelago. Japan presently controls the islands and refers to them as the Senkakus.
"Japan wants a fighter that will help them to protect these islands and they need a multi-role, multi-capable aircraft," Mulloy said.
Japan has also committed to buying 147 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning aircraft. Photo: AP
These specific requirements underpin the insistence that domestic firms take the lead in the design and development of the aircraft. However, Japan also wants to develop its defence industries and will be hoping to find export markets.
Mitsubishi Heavy is in talks with Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman and Boeing of the US, as well as British Aerospace and three other UK-based companies.
US firms are expected to emphasise the interoperability between Japanese and US defence systems, a tactic that tipped Tokyo towards selecting the F-35 over the British-led European consortium behind the Typhoon.
This time around, Britain may have an advantage as it is already working on the replacement for that fighter, and the Tempest is likely to be deployed around the same time Japan hopes its new jet will be operational.
Core elements of the aircraft " including the engine and fuselage " will be built by Japanese firms. Foreign firms are likely to be tapped for their advanced stealth technologies and electronic warfare capabilities.
The contract to develop the "future fighter" is estimated at US$40 billion. Each jet could cost US$185 million.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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