The latest U.S. F35B stealth fighter is taking off from the U.S. Marine Corps aircraft station in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. yunhap news
The Japanese government has decided to deploy the state-of-the-art stealth fighter’F35B’ in Miyazaki Prefecture in the Kyushu region, close to the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyudao), which is fighting for sovereignty with China. “The government has decided to deploy the stealth fighter’F35B’ at the base of the Nyutabaru Air Self-Defense Force in Miyazaki Prefecture. This is the first time that the’F35B’ has been deployed at the base of the Self-Defense Forces. The’F35B’, developed by Lockheed Martin in the United States, is the latest (5th generation) stealth fighter that can take off and land vertically on a short runway. US Marines and British troops are currently using them in practice. Japan is planning to convert the Maritime Self-Defense Forces frigate’Gaga’ into a light aircraft carrier so that it can be equipped with this stealth fighter. The’F35B’ is being deployed at the New Tabaru base to plan a’Gaga’ mounted training, and joint training with stealth fighters deployed at the U.S. military base. The newspaper used the words of an official from the Ministry of Defense, saying, “With China continuing to increase its armaments, the government sees the’F35B’ as a key card in the defense of remote islands (such as the Senkaku Islands).” The Japanese government is planning to have a total of 42 operating systems with a long-term goal, such as introducing 18 F35Bs by 2023. 18 units will be deployed at the base of the New Tabaru Air Self-Defense Force, and the remaining bases will be reviewed later. The newspaper reported that Japan’s attempt to introduce the’F35B’ on a large scale is to narrow the gap in aviation power with China. China has 1080 units of the latest 4th and 5th generation fighters, which is 3.5 times that of Japan (309). China is also promoting the actual deployment of the fifth-generation stealth fighter,’Zen (J) 20′. Japan plans to face China with the F35B. By Kim So-yeon, staff reporter