Japanese companies are behind schedule for taking part in the production of the F-35A cutting-edge stealth fighter, which the Air Self-Defense Force plans
Japanese companies are behind schedule for taking part in the production of the F-35A cutting-edge stealth fighter, which the Air Self-Defense Force plans to introduce, a Board of Audit of Japan survey showed on Wednesday.
Effects from Japanese companies’ participation in F-35A production in maintaining and strengthening the country’s defense production and technology base have yet to be fully seen, the board said.
The F-35 stealth fighter was developed jointly by nine countries, including the United States and Britain, while Lockheed Martin of the United States is in charge of designing and production.
The Defense Ministry decided to procure the F-35 under the U. S. government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program on condition that Japanese companies are allowed to join the production and repairs of the aircraft.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. was picked for final assembly and checkups, IHI Corp. for engine parts production and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. for radar parts production. The three were set to conclude subcontracts with foreign partner companies of the U.
