Image of the next fighter "F3", the successor to the F2 (taken by the author from the Ministry of Defense budget summary material)


Regarding the next fighter "F3" that will be the successor to the F2 fighter of the Air Self-Defense Force, it turns out that the Ministry of Defense has declined the proposal of "hybrid aircraft" based on the stealth fighter F22 and F35 by Lockheed Martin of the United States It was.

The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, which is an external agency of the Ministry of Defense, told the author, " By the examination so far, the option of'development of a derivative of the existing aircraft'can be a candidate from the viewpoint of Japan-led development. Instead, we came to the conclusion that we would develop a "new model" . "

However, even though it is a new model development led by Japan, it is difficult to develop it independently considering the capabilities of the Ministry of Defense and the domestic aviation industry, and the current situation is that we have no choice but to jointly develop with overseas companies. Defense Minister Taro Kono also announced at a press conference on March 27 that he is considering the United States and the United Kingdom as joint development partners, and plans to decide the framework for development and production of the F2 successor by the end of next year's budget compilation. showed that.

Regarding Lockheed Martin's F22 and F35-based refurbishment proposal, a member of the House of Councilors Takashi Uto (Liberal Democratic Party) from the Air Self-Defense Force told the author that "Neither the Ministry of Defense nor the political world has that line as an option." Stated.

He pointed out that "it will be a joint development route, but it is not a joint development like the so-called F35." In addition, the following two points were pointed out as points that Japan cannot give up in the next fighter business.

1. 1. Japan should take the initiative in deciding the operational requirements (what kind of fighter you want to make).

2. 2. Even during development or after completion, the degree of freedom in changing specifications and refurbishment is completely guaranteed to the Japanese side.

Uto said, "It is still undecided which fields Japan will be in charge of, such as engines and radar."

Advanced technology demonstrator "X2" manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, etc. for stealth fighter development = February 28, 2016, Toyoyama Town, Aichi Prefecture (Photo: Afro)
Advanced technology demonstrator "X2" manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, etc. for stealth fighter development = February 28, 2016, Toyoyama Town, Aichi Prefecture (Photo: Afro)

Below are the answers to each question between the author and the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency. I interviewed as a correspondent in Tokyo for the British military weekly magazine Jane's Defense Weekly. (Reference article: Update: Japan rejects foreign plans for next-generation fighter )

-Has the Ministry of Defense already declined Lockheed Martin's F22 and F35-based refurbishment proposals?

As for the next fighter aircraft, as stated in the medium-term defense, we will develop Japan-led development with a view to international cooperation.

Currently, discussions are underway between the United States and the United Kingdom, which have potential for cooperation, in terms of ensuring interoperability, cost effectiveness, and technical reliability. We are looking at the possibility of cooperation between them.

Based on the studies so far, we have come to the conclusion that the option of "development of a derivative of an existing machine" cannot be a candidate from the viewpoint of development led by Japan, and that we will develop a "new model".

-Although it is led by domestic production, I think there is a strong view that the current capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces and the domestic aviation industry cannot be used for independent development. Isn't there a mistake in the basic joint development route? Will the policy of "starting development led by Japan at an early stage while considering international cooperation" written in the medium-term defense will not change?

Regarding the next fighter aircraft, since the announcement of the "Research and Development Vision for Future Fighters" in 2009, we have invested about 227.7 billion yen so far, and the aircraft, engine, and avionics necessary for fighter aircraft development ( We have been accumulating and upgrading a series of fighter-related technologies such as avionics), and we recognize that we have accumulated technologies that can be transferred to the development of fighter aircraft in Japan.

On the other hand, the December 2018 Medium-Term Defense Force Development Plan states that "Japan-led development will be started at an early stage with a view to international cooperation," and this policy has not changed.

-Currently, we have received information that we are looking for a joint development collaboration with BAE Systems in the UK. Is this correct?

We are currently in discussions with the United States and the United Kingdom, but in order to determine what kind of cooperation is desirable for both Japan and the United Kingdom, we are holding discussions with the governments of both Japan and the United Kingdom, including companies. We are here.

-Are there any specific fields, such as the engine and radar of the F2 successor, which fields Japanese companies will be in charge of?

At this time, it has not been decided how to develop individual components such as engines and radars.

(Reference article: The development plan for the next fighter, which will be the successor to the ASDF F2, is revealed-obtaining a document from the Ministry of Defense )