Missile Supplement: US Deploys F-35 Squadron Near Russia's Far Eastern Borders

As part of the modernization of its combat aircraft fleet in Japan, the Americans will deploy 48 advanced fighters. And the total cost of the program will be about $ 10 billion.

The United States has announced plans to modernize its military presence in Japan by deploying 48 of the latest fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. This upgrade will begin in mid-2025, replacing the existing fleet of 36 F-16 aircraft, and will be completed in the spring of 2026. The modernization is part of a broader US program to strengthen the defense alliance with Japan amid growing threats in the region, Army Recognition reported on December 3.

The base will require significant infrastructure improvements to accommodate 48 F-35A fighters. Renovations to hangars and other facilities are set to begin as early as 2025 to prepare the base for advanced aircraft and integration with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF). The total cost of the modernization program, which covers air bases across Japan, including Kadena, is expected to be around $10 billion.

Strategic Value

The F-35A will enhance deterrence in a region where China and North Korea are increasingly militarizing. Japan already operates 39 of these aircraft and plans to increase their number to 42 by the end of 2024. The joint operation of the American and Japanese F-35 will improve interoperability and increase the effectiveness of joint operations.

Observers recalled that since 2021, the defense relationship between the United States and Japan has significantly strengthened. Tokyo has increased the military budget and concluded agreements with Washington to develop new technologies, including hypersonic missiles. And in 2023, the parties agreed to deploy new American units in Okinawa and jointly produce missiles such as AMRAAM and PAC-3.

The modernization plans provide not only for the supply of aircraft, but also for technical support from companies such as Boeing, Babcock and Korea Aerospace Industries. This will strengthen Japan's defense capabilities and its role as a key US ally in the Indo-Pacific region.