U.S. boosts Japan base with new F‑35A stealth fighters
The growing threats from China, North Korea, and Russia have prompted the USA to decide on modernizing its military assets in Japan. Stealth fighters, the F-35A, will be stationed at the Misawa military base. A total of 48 of these aircraft will replace the F-16s currently deployed there by the spring of 2026.
8:07 AM EST, December 1, 2024
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has shared the latest information with local authorities regarding the deployment of the American fighters. This move has raised local concerns about increased noise levels, as the F-35A is louder than the F-16, and the number of deployed fighters will increase from 36 to 48.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced the replacement of fighters at the Misawa base back in July, but at that time, a specific date was not provided.
Response to the growing threat from China, North Korea, and Russia
The deployment of the F-35A at the Misawa base in Aomori Prefecture on Honshu Island is a part of Washington's strategy to modernize its military assets in Japan. These actions respond to the mounting threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
The American side has indicated that certain facilities at the base, such as hangars, will need modernization. The runway at the Misawa base is used jointly by the American military and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter, featuring advanced technologies that make it difficult to detect by radar and capable of identifying ballistic missiles. The deployment of these aircraft is intended to bolster Japan's defense in the face of regional challenges.
