The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has received its first F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighters, marking the beginning of a new phase in its air capability modernization.

Three F-35B aircraft arrived at Nyutabaru Air Base on August 7, according to a JASDF statement. The jets were originally scheduled for delivery by the end of the last fiscal year, but the timeline was pushed back due to delays in software development.

The aircraft are assigned to a newly formed Temporary F-35B Squadron, which was established in March to support the B-variant’s integration. With the first jets now in place, pilot training and maintenance preparations are set to begin.

Japan plans to station two full F-35B squadrons at Nyutabaru. The first will include the transition of the 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which currently flies F-15s. The second unit will be established incrementally as part of a phased expansion.

The F-35B, produced by Lockheed Martin, is the only operational fifth-generation fighter capable of vertical landing. Its ability to operate from short airstrips and modified naval vessels makes it compatible with Japan’s Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, which are undergoing conversion for fixed-wing operations.

The Ministry of Defense has not confirmed how many F-35Bs will be delivered in 2025. However, deliveries are expected to continue over the coming years, with a total of 42 aircraft on order. The F-35B fleet will complement Japan’s existing F-35A inventory, which is designed for conventional runways.

Japan’s procurement of the F-35B aligns with broader efforts to boost operational flexibility and resilience amid growing regional security challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. The integration of fifth-generation aircraft into both the Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces is intended to strengthen joint interoperability across multiple domains.

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