The future of Japan air force

DPRKUnderground said:

I know they won't give japan an aid package with all of that stuff. I'm just saying that's the case for Pakistan. But Italy bought second-hand F-16s, they're cool with it. And that would only be a stop gap fighter for like 5-7 years. Why spend $45M on a brand new F-16 you would only use for 5-7 years, when you could get a used one for $30M.

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Japan is not Italy, they have more fund. I doubt they will buy old fighters, they need new fighters to replace the old one which are very old. I don't think japan are looking for fighters for a stop gap. Why would you think Japan will only use F16 for few years? It does not make sense for any countries to buy planes that way. I think you are assumpt that since JSF are coming out, there are no use of F16. That is just is not true. Even US could not replace all their F16/15 in many years to come. F16/F15 will still be core planes for many years.

KYli said:

Japan is not Italy, they have more fund. I doubt they will buy old fighters, they need new fighters to replace the old one which are very old. I don't think japan are looking for fighters for a stop gap. Why would you think Japan will only use F16 for few years? It does not make sense for any countries to buy planes that way. I think you are assumpt that since JSF are coming out, there are no use of F16. That is just is not true. Even US could not replace all their F16/15 in many years to come. F16/F15 will still be core planes for many years.

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True, but the F-35 would be the best choice anyway. It would cost the same as the F-2! Now they're talking about getting F-22s. They really need to re-think what they're spending.

If you ask me, it's all a miscalculation or else poor planning by the guys in charge of Japanese Defense.

They just spent a shitload on the F-2 and then they cut the order short. A complicated radar problem will seem like peanuts compared to looking for a completely new replacement for the F-4, an upgraded F-2 would probably be the best thing.

So now they're looking for a new toy for air defence but they're also spending money upgrading their F-15Js for that very role!

The F-22 is probably within Japan's financial means, however definitely not in the numbers required to replace the F-4 and the F-15... most likely less than 50 total airframes.

The F-35 is a possibility, but it's a multi-role aircraft that's years away from procurement with little chance of Japan getting a piece of the production opportunities, as opposed to upgrading the F-15J.

I'd wager my bets on getting a new version F-15, which Japan could (possibly) indigeniously produce, or continue improving the F-2, although I admit that I still have a lot to learn about this issue.

DPRKUnderground said:

True, but the F-35 would be the best choice anyway. It would cost the same as the F-2! Now they're talking about getting F-22s. They really need to re-think what they're spending.

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I agreed, but they are looking for something to replace thier old planes now, F35 will be years away. So F18 or F16 will be something worth looking into since they are cutting the F2 order.

KYli said:

I agreed, but they are looking for something to replace thier old planes now, F35 will be years away. So F18 or F16 will be something worth looking into since they are cutting the F2 order.

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True, but the F-15CJ has gone through upgrades and can definitely counter what their neighbors have currently. I think they could wait a few years before equippng the first 2 squadrons with F-35s.