On Friday, December 19, 2011, the winner was decided, which will replace the F-4EJ, including an upgraded version F-4EJ Kai, which has been in use in Japan for years. The most likely winner will be the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, which was born out of the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program. It also beat the American Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet (or Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet) and the European Eurofighter Typhoon in the final. Previously, the Lockheed/Martin/Boeing F-22A Raptor (not cleared for export by the US government), the Boeing F-15 in the upgraded SE variant (scrapped due to type diversification) and the French Dassault Rafale.
The Japanese government would like to buy 42 aircraft for its Self-Defense Forces, with delivery dates starting in 2015.
Source: monthly periodical Kôkú-fan (航空ファン) & JWings (Jウイング)
The Japanese government would like to buy 42 aircraft for its Self-Defense Forces, with delivery dates starting in 2015.
Source: monthly periodical Kôkú-fan (航空ファン) & JWings (Jウイング)