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Japan chooses US partner to assist with F-2 successor

22nd December 2020 - 19:48 GMT | by Koji Miyake in Tokyo

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Given the technological challenges associated with developing a stealth fighter, Japan has enlisted the help of a US aerospace OEM.

Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi announced on 12 December that the Japanese MoD had chosen Lockheed Martin as technical partner for development of the successor to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) F-2 fighter.

The MoD will allocate JPY57.6 billion ($556 million) for the F-X fighter's development costs in the FY2021 budget. It will be a hugely expensive development project, though, with a cost estimate exceeding JPY2 trillion.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is the prime integrator, with IHI responsible for the engine and Subaru for the airframe. Meanwhile, Toshiba and Fujitsu will develop the radar, and Mitsubishi Electric will create

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Koji Miyake

Koji Miyake is a Tokyo-based writer.

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