Defense Ministry Approves Purchase Of F-35B STOVL Jets

The Japanese Defense Ministry has approved the purchase of F-35B short-take-off-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) fighter jets from the U.S., reports the Asahi Shimbun. The purchase of 42 F-35Bs at a cost of US$132 million each was formally approved by the ministry on Aug. 16. The F-35Bs will be deployed in part from the Maritime Self Defense Force’s Izumo-class helicopter carriers, which will be modified to support the stealth fighter, reported the Jiji Press (Tokyo). The aircraft...