Japanese F2 isn't that good of an airplane. Other than its AESA, they made a much more expensive (127 million dollars+) fighter close to f15 in cost but less in capability, and much worse in thrust weight ratio and agility to base f16. Yes, f2 has better range, but its a pretty terrible disaster compared to if it just bought more f15s. The whole thing is a made in japan corporate welfare boondoggle.