JASDF receives first F-35 at Luke AFB

[Zarvan]

Japan Air Self-Defense Force maintainers pose for a photo on 28 November to mark the arrival of the first Japanese F-35A at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Source: US Air Force

The first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) was handed over at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona on 28 November.

The arrival of aircraft 69-8701 (also designated AX-1) at the 944th Fighter Wing (FW) marks a significant milestone in the JASDF's F-35A programme to replace its ageing Mitsubishi-McDonnell Douglas F-4J Kai (Phantom II) aircraft that have been in service since the early 1970s.

This aircraft will join the international training fleet at Luke AFB that will instruct Foreign Military Sales (FMS) pilots and maintainers from Israel, Japan, and South Korea, along with partner nations Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Turkey. In addition to the FMS and partner nation mission led by the 944 OG/Det 2 'Ninjas', Luke AFB is scheduled to have six US Air Force fighter squadrons made up of 144 F-35As.

Japan has committed itself to buying 28 F-35As over the next five years (six of which are under contract), and has a total requirement of 42 aircraft. After the fleet begins arriving in-country in fiscal year 2017, it will initially be based at Misawa. The initial operating unit is expected to be either 301 or 302 Squadron.

The total cost of the deal including purchasing, maintenance, and repairs is estimated at JPY1.6 trillion (USD14 billion), but this figure may rise further. With four aircraft being manufactured at Fort Worth in Texas, the remaining 38 will be licence-built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

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http://www.janes.com/article/65940/jasdf-receives-first-f-35-at-luke-afb

 

[damiendehorn]

So the contract is $14bn for 42 planes? Thats aprox $333m each.....damn....even if thats TCoO, thats crazy price for a fighter.

 

[GR!FF!N]

So the contract is $14bn for 42 planes? Thats aprox $333m each.....damn....even if thats TCoO, thats crazy price for a fighter.

Aircraft along with spares,weapons,Training and such....Its the cost of full life cycle,not the flyaway cost.

A 4th gen like Su-30 MKI's flyaway cost is near 100 mil.Add other costs and it crosses 150 mil with ease.And that is a 3 decade old jet fighter.

 

[damiendehorn]

Aircraft along with spares,weapons,Training and such....Its the cost of full life cycle,not the flyaway cost.

A 4th gen like Su-30 MKI's flyaway cost is near 100 mil.Add other costs and it crosses 150 mil with ease.And that is a 3 decade old jet fighter.

Thats what i said TCoO (total cost of ownership), even at that price the F35 is overpriced to the point a large developed economy like Japan can afford just 42 initially. The potential to export the F35 to countries other then a select few will deminish drastically. Also note the UK is buying the F35b (the most expensive version) which has a TCoO price tag of $251m, so unless the Japanese ministry has added additional options then it looks as they are paying top buck for this.

This will create a market opp for lower cost 5th gen aircrafts like the J31...which will be comparable (at least in 80% of tasks) to the US aircraft.

 

[Skull and Bones]

I have a feeling that IF India goes for US consulting for Vishal, then eventually we will have F-35C in our Naval forces.

 

[LeGenD]

Thats what i said TCoO (total cost of ownership), even at that price the F35 is overpriced to the point a large developed economy like Japan can afford just 42 initially. The potential to export the F35 to countries other then a select few will deminish drastically. Also note the UK is buying the F35b (the most expensive version) which has a TCoO price tag of $251m, so unless the Japanese ministry has added additional options then it looks as they are paying top buck for this.

This will create a market opp for lower cost 5th gen aircrafts like the J31...which will be comparable (at least in 80% of tasks) to the US aircraft.

And why do you think that F-35 is overpriced? It is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world so far, and it is not supposed to be mainstream.

 

[damiendehorn]

And why do you think that F-35 is overpriced? It is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world so far, and it is not supposed to be mainstream.

OK where do I start? This could be a very…very long article….but let’s just keep it simple. In fact let me refer you to this article about it.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/here-...at-the-pentagon-found-in-a-2014-report-2015-3

 

[LeGenD]

OK where do I start? This could be a very…very long article….but let’s just keep it simple. In fact let me refer you to this article about it.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/here-...at-the-pentagon-found-in-a-2014-report-2015-3

I am sorry but that is typical journalism. A large number of people have no idea how ambitious F-35 project is, how difficult it was to prepare F-35 for different roles/challenges and also the cost factor. Here is a hint for the wise: F-35 is more then a 5th generation aircraft.

Now, if you have a convincing argument, please share. I will listen.