The U.S. Department of Defense announced Wednesday that it will spend more than $10 billion over the next few years to modernize tactical military aircraft based in Japan.
At Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the Air Force will replace 48 F-15C/D fighter jets with 36 advanced F-15EX fighter jets. During the transition, the Air Force will rotate 4th and 5th generation fighter jets.
At Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, the air force will replace 36 F-16 fighter jets with 48 F-35A fighter jets.
The Marine Corps will expand the number of F-35B stealth fighter jets at its base in Iwakuni, western Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The Defense Ministry says it is working closely with the Japanese government on the modernization plan for the tactical aircraft stationed in Japan.
The plan “demonstrates the strong US commitment to the defense of Japan and the two countries’ shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the report said.
