Japanese Ministry of Defense Announces Plans to Purchase F-35 Aircraft

The Japanese Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa has announced the selection of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the F-X program. The F-35 is produced by Lockheed Martin and powered by Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine. The announcement includes 42 installed engines, spare engines and a logistics support program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. UTX company. The Japanese government's decision to select the F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's (JASDF) next-generation fighter makes Japan the second country to receive the F-35 through the United States government's Foreign Military Sales process, and the 13th F-35 customer. "We are honored to be part of the Japanese F135-powered F-35 selection and look forward to supporting the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Japanese aerospace industry," said Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. "This program selection builds on the strong relationship Pratt & Whitney has with JASDF and Japanese industry over the past 30 years on the F100 engine powering their F-15 fighters." The F-35 program will replace Japan's aging F-4 fleet with highly advanced fifth-generation technology and capability. Procurement of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine also offers potentially significant engine industrial participation for Japanese industry.