Japan To Resume The Fighter Jet F-15J ‘Super Interceptor’ Upgrade

The Japanese government has included the modernization of Japan’s F-15 fleet into the F-15JSI (Japan Super Interceptor) variant in the fiscal year 2022.

The program was brought to a halt in 2020 because of the rising cost, partly due to the necessity of upgrading the production line and switching to modern digital warfare technology. After discussions between Japan and US officials, the price was reduced to $8 million. The net price is now set at $3.5 billion, which is still 1.2 times the original estimation as per NHK.

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs and Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15 Eagles fly in formation during bi-lateral training Dec. 4, 2017, over the Pacific Ocean. The F-35A is deployed under the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Package program (TSP), which has been in operation since 2004. These TSP deployments enhance the strength of our alliances without the need to build vast infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Fredericks)

To save money, Japan had to temporarily avoid the introduction into Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). After a delay of two years, the upgrade, which was initially scheduled to be completed by 2027, is now in danger of being delayed.

The Mitsubishi F-15J, a homegrown version of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, is the primary interceptor for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.

Source: Aerotime.aero

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