Fleets of new and updated fighter jets will be placed at U.S. military bases in Japan, a notable defense development and financial investment in the Pacific as tensions continue to rise with China.
The Department of Defense announced last week that 36 modern F-15EX aircraft will be replacing 48 older F-15C/D fighter jets at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa over the next several years. Additionally, Misawa Air Base in northern Japan will get 48 F-35A Lightning II aircraft to replace 36 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.
Pentagon officials also announced that they will “modify the number” of F-35B aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni near Hiroshima, but did not specify the new size of the fleet. All those changes are slated to happen over the course of several years.
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“The modernization plan, which will be implemented over the next several years, reflects over $10 billion of capability investments to enhance the U.S.-Japan Alliance, bolster regional deterrence, and strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the Pentagon said in a news release.
While it wasn’t immediately clear what that means for shuffling personnel, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, in response to Military.com, said Monday that those future moves will be specific to the new aircraft.
“It’s going to be tailored to the…
