from various reports,
October 9, 2012
Three makers are intensifying to appeal their respective products for sale to Japan as it is closing its selection of next fighter for Air Self-Defense Force.
New type will replace F-4E Phantom II fleet (103 including modified F-4EJ Kai) and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35A and Eurofighter Typhoon are vying for the selection in coming weeks.
Lockheed Martin has brought in and demonstrated a F-35 cockpit simulator to Tokyo, appealing its high end performance. The company revealed its proposal could satisfy all conditions including delivery time imposed by Japan. Particularly, its stealth performance may appeal to Japan where it would face new generations of fighters in China and Russia in near future.
Boeing, on the other hand, has appealed F-A-18E’s superiority in terms of product supply and cost while emphasizing the company was willing to offer 70-80% of the production for localization with licensing.
BAE Systems, proposing Eurofighter Typhoon,made a presentation in British Embassy in Tokyo with attendance of ambassadors of participating countries, in a unprecedented manner, and called for attention of Japanese decision makers for its superiority and price.
Defense Ministry would choose the type based on not only performance and price but how extensive Japanese corporations can engaged in production and maintenance as to keep production base of fighter business as the last of F-2 production has been completed recently without the immediate project in sight.
The ministry has already submitted its budget request for fiscal 2012 including JPY55.1 billion for acquisition of the first four aircraft of FX and will finalize the selection by the end of November.
