China News Service, July 11 (Xinhua) According to Japanese media reports, the US State Department notified Congress on July 9 local time that it has approved the sale of 105 of the latest F-35 stealth fighters to Japan.
According to reports, the United States decided to sell 105 new stealth fighters to Japan this time, including 63 F-35A and 42 F-35B, in addition to related equipment, totaling 2.48 trillion yen.
Data map: F35B lightning fighter flight show. Photo by Mao Jianjun issued by China News Service
Among them, according to reports, the F-35B can take off on a short runway and land vertically, and it can also become a carrier-based aircraft of a large frigate “in fact upgraded to an aircraft carrier”.
The report pointed out that this is the second largest single arms sales transaction in the history of the United States, second only to the amount of fighter equipment and other equipment sold to Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Japan’s NHK, a relevant person from the US State Department emphasized that this move is to improve Japan’s defense capabilities. The person also pointed out that this deal is conducive to the development of the US economy and job security. The US welcomes this.