Japanese aviation website Flyteam reported the start of operation at maintenance of jet engines for the F-35 in Tokyo.
© IHI
The Ministry of Defense has opened an engine (F135 turbofan engine) maintenance depot for the F-35A/B Lightning II fighter jet and began operations on June 30, 2023. The U.S. government decided in December 2014 to establish F-35 engine maintenance bases "Regional Depots" in Japan and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region, and the IHI Mizuho Plant in Nishitama-gun, Tokyo, was designated to assume this role.
This will enable maintenance and refurbishment of engines for the F-35 (F135 turbofan engines) operated by Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including periodic inspections, overhauls (overhauls), and inspections, to be performed in Japan. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Air Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force operate the F-35A, and the U.S. Marine Corps operates the F-35B.
IHI Mizuho Plant has been performing final assembly and inspection of the new F-35 engine (F135 turbofan engine), and will also have overhaul capabilities. The aircraft itself can be serviced at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, thus strengthening the operational system in Japan.■
