This contractor will coordinate the development and production with participating other firms from Japan and U.S. It is intended, Nikkei assumes, to enhance development and production capabilities of Japanese firms.
The next fighter, called F-3, will replace current Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, a Japan-U.S.joint work based on F-16, that will start retiring from 2035. With appropriation of the development expenses in Japan's fiscal 2021 budget and complete prototype examples in fiscal 2024.
Estimated production size of the fighter jets is said to be ninety with approx. JPY 5 trillion budget for the entire processes including procurement.
Under the new style of fighter jet development, Japanese corporations will undergo the entire processes of designing, development and production of its battle system as well as main parts. It is highly expected U.S. corporations will join in the development with supervision of the sole contractor from Japan.
For this sole contractor, many expect Mitsubishi Heavy Industry while Kawasaki Heavy Industry, Subaru, and IHI from Japan and Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman are expected to join as contractors.
JASDF operates F-35 joint strike fighters assembled in U.S. but its key technologies are non-disclosed and Japan is not allow any modification. Its battle system should be upgraded for convenience of U.S. side. Japanese officials have voiced dissatisfaction with lower degree of freedom in operation and little chance to accumulate technologies in Japan's defense industry.
The selection of this style of contracting is reflecting strong wishes of Japan's defense industrial sector.
Lockheed Martin once proposed a hybrid model of F-22 and F-35 for Japan's next fighter jets but this was never taken up as Japan has insisted to develop the new fighter with its own initiative.
Some speculates U.S. will demand Japan to make the development with more American involvement after November U.S. presidential election, Nikkei reports.
