F-35s To No Longer Be Assembled Domestically In Cost-Saving Measure

The Japanese government has decided to end local assembly of F-35 fighter jets purchased form the U.S., reports Defense News. 

The aircraft to be acquired under the fiscal 2019 contract will be delivered in fly-away condition, said a spokesman for the Japanese Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency. 

The Japanese Defense Ministry has not commented on the decision. New defense guidelines released in December emphasized reducing costs while acquiring high-performance technologies. 

F-35s purchased from 2015 to 2018 are being assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The work is expected to run until fiscal 2022. 

In December, the Japanese government approved the defense budget for fiscal 2019, which runs from April 2019 to March 2020. It includes US$612 million for six F-35 fighters and another US$366 million for maintenance.