The government plans to select U.S. aerospace company Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide technical support to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in the development of an Air Self-Defense Force fighter jet, it has been learned.
The government, which hopes the move will help strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, plans to earmark about 70 billion yen in the next fiscal year's budget for the development of a fighter jet to replace the ASDF's F-2s.
Lockheed Martin has a proven track record as the manufacturer of the most advanced stealth fighter procured by the Defense Ministry, the F-35. Boasting state-of-the-art technology, the company is also the developer of the F-22, which is said to be the world's most powerful fighter jet.
The government plans to introduce about 90 jets to replace F-2s scheduled to be retired from around 2035. The development cost is estimated to be about 1 trillion yen.
In October, the government contracted Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main developer, and narrowed down the list of subcontractor candidates to provide technical assistance to three companies -- Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. of the United States and BAE Systems PLC of Britain.
Other Japanese companies will also participate in the development to preserve the technology of the domestic defense industry. The engine will be handled by IHI Corp. and the airframe by Subaru Corp.
Lockheed Martin will be in charge of systems integration and stealth technology. Out of consideration for security cooperation with Britain, the government is also planning to approach BAE Systems to assist in the development of parts.
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