Japan’s F-35B fighter jet delay calls its defence readiness into question

The stealth fighters, designed to operate from aircraft carriers, are central to Japan’s broader strategy of bolstering defence capabilities

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An F-35B Lightning II aircraft lands aboard a US aircraft carrier. Photo: US Navy

Published: 11:00am, 14 Jan 2025

A delay in the delivery of American-made F-35B stealth fighters to Japan has raised concerns about the country’s defence readiness.

But observers say the delay, while frustrating, is unlikely to compromise military preparedness as the nation has been steadily training its air force crews and recalibrating its naval operations to integrate the advanced fighter jets – a process that was never expected to happen overnight.

Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed the setback during a press conference on Friday, announcing that the arrival of the F-35B jets at the Air Self-Defence Force’s (ASDF) Nyutabaru base in southern Miyazaki prefecture would be postponed.

Originally slated to touch down before the end of the current financial year in March, the first six jets are now expected no earlier than April.

Japan plans to eventually have 147 F-35 aircraft, including 42 of the F-35B variant, which is designed for short take-offs and vertical landings – ideal for deployment on aircraft carriers. The remaining units are conventional F-35As, which Japan has been operating for several years as it builds expertise with the platform.

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft takes part in an aerial display during the Singapore Airshow in 2022. Photo: AP

The F-35B is central to Japan’s broader strategy of bolstering its defence capabilities. As part of this plan, the country is retrofitting two vessels – the Izumo and Kaga, originally classified as “helicopter destroyers” – into full-fledged aircraft carriers capable of accommodating the F-35B.