Largely responding to China’s expanding capabilities and regional influence, as well as encouragement from President Trump, Japan is reportedly planning to order an additional 100 F-35 stealth fighter jets from the U.S., supplementing the 42 already planned. The additional planes will replace roughly the same number of F-15s currently in operation. The Japanese military also plans to adjust its current helicopter carrier to host the F-35B class of fighters, which are capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings. Each F-35 costs around $88 million, and the full order will improve the trade imbalance between Japan and American that has been the subject of complaint from President Trump.
Source: Japan to order 100 more F-35 fighters from US – Nikkei Asian Review
