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Good news for China-menaced Taiwan: Japan’s F-35B jump-jet aircraft carriers are coming
Quick Facts
- The Japanese navy is close to completing its first aircraft carriers since World War II, with plans to have them ready for combat duty by 2027.
- The carriers, Izumo and Kaga, are being converted into full-fledged aircraft carriers compatible with the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35B stealth jump jet.
- The Japanese navy’s strategic shift is a response to China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness, with the aim of enhancing its defensive and offensive potential in the region.
The Japanese navy is nearing completion of its first aircraft carriers since World War II, with plans to have them ready for combat duty by 2027. The carriers, Izumo and Kaga, are being converted into full-fledged aircraft carriers compatible with the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35B stealth jump jet. This strategic shift is a response to China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness, with the aim of enhancing Japan’s defensive and offensive potential in the region.
The first phase of the conversion work on Kaga has been completed, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s efforts to bolster its naval capabilities. By 2027, the Japanese air force is expected to have 42 F-35Bs to fly from the two new aircraft carriers, significantly reinforcing the allied fleet around Taiwan. The move comes as the US Navy faces challenges in growing its fleet to match the expansion of the Chinese navy, making the support of allies like Japan crucial in maintaining regional security.
The Japanese navy’s decision to revive its dormant carrier capability reflects the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, with China’s naval expansion raising the stakes for regional security. As the United States looks to its allies for support in defending Taiwan, Japan’s reemergence as a carrier-capable naval force is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the collective defense posture in the region.
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