Japan plans to regularly transfer its Air Force to Australia
The Japanese Defence Ministry is working on a plan to deploy combat aircraft of the country's Air Force at military bases in Australia on a rotational basis to take part in joint military air exercises, TASS reports with reference to the Asahi publication
As informed by the source, the deployment of aircraft can begin in stages as early as the 2024 fiscal year. It is expected that, within a few months, several of the newest fifth-generation F-35 combat aircraft, older F-15 fighters, as well as F-2 aircraft (which are American F-16 fighter-bombers upgraded for the needs of the Japanese Air Force) will be stationed in Australia.
Regular training in Australia will take place in accordance with the bilateral agreement signed earlier this year on the conditions for conducting such joint manoeuvres. It significantly facilitates or cancels customs procedures, removes prohibitions and restrictions on the import of weapons, and so on.
In late summer and early autumn, four F-35s of the Japanese Air Force already made a test flight to Australia. According to Asahi, the regular conduct of such exercises is considered as a means of countering China's military activity in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, as well as in the South Pacific.
