Japan buys a new fighter jet

Japan signed an agreement to buy US F-35 fighter jets, believed to be the next-generation fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Force, replacing the outdated F -4.

Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Jan. 18 confirmed that Japan and the United States had reached a deal on the deal.

Mr. Maehara and US Ambassador to Japan John Roos have exchanged confidential information security related to the US Fifth Generation F-35 Combat System.

The F-35, a single-seat stealth fighter jet, is an integral part of the US Joint Strike Fighter-Assault Combined Weapon (JSF) program. Other partner governments provide additional funding.

Sources say the Japanese government spends about 600 million yen (about US $ 7.27 million) on F-35 research costs in fiscal 2011 and will look for budgets in fiscal year 2012. to buy the next generation fighter jet for the country.

Japan originally targeted two US F-22 Raptor fighters - multi-target stealth fighter jets. However, the United States banned the export of this aircraft, which made the Japanese plan impossible.

Although the Japanese government considers the F-35 to be the strongest candidate , it is also considering other options, including multi-role fighters, a European Eurofighter and F / A-18.