Japan has taken an important step in the modernization of its naval capacities by receiving, this Thursday 7, the first three stealth hunters with vertical takeoff F-35B, which will operate in the future since the Izumo and Kaga helicopter.
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The information was announced by the press service of the Japanese self -defense air force (JASDF).
The devices landed on Newtabaru air base in the Miyazaki prefecture. A fourth plane, part of the initial lot, has remained in the United States for not specified reasons and should arrive later. According to the Ministry of Defense, four other F-35Bs will be delivered by March 2026.
Although officially belonging to the air force, the F-35B will have a naval role, operating on board the Izumo and Kaga, ships classified by Japan as “helicopter holder”. With the integration of these devices, the buildings will actually become light aircraft carriers, but this terminology is avoided due to political restrictions and the interpretation of the Constitution, which limits the creation of an “offensive capacity”.
Ships ready for the future
Designed from the start with specifications higher than those necessary for helicopters, the two ships had sheds, elevators and sized bridges to accommodate take -off and vertical landing aircraft. Although this was not officially declared, the configuration indicated a strategic reserve for the future.
In 2021, the Izumo confirmed its ability to operate planes by passing approval tests with an F-35B of the United States Marine Corps. Since then, the two ships have undergone a redevelopment including the strengthening of the bridge, the application of a heat resistant coating, the modernization of navigation systems and adaptation to receive aeronautical equipment, such as supply stations.
Conclusive naval tests
Between October and November 2024, the Kaga was subjected to integration tests with F-35B hunters, carrying out about 50 appontages and takeoffs. The tests included parking and maintenance in hangar, simultaneous operations on the bridge, night appontages, Air-Mer coordination and air traffic control around the ship.
To increase the operational capacity by all time, the navy installed on the JPALS helicopter carriers, a precision approach system used during naval operations with aircraft.
With this delivery, Japan finds a significant role in the field of on-board aviation, marking a rebirth of the Japanese aircraft carrier after decades of absence of this type of ship in the fleet.
Source et images : X @JASDF_PAO_ENG, @theF35JPO, Militarnyi.com. This content was created with the help of the AI and revised by the editorial team.
