Japan to allocate budget for F-15JSI in 2022 (but Tokyo will drop the integration of the LRASM on the Japanese Eagle)

Japan to allocate budget for F-15JSI in 2022 (but Tokyo will drop the integration of the LRASM on the Japanese Eagle)

By Dario Leone
Dec 13 2021
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Japan has decided to proceed with the F-15JSI (Japan Super Interceptor) upgrade program by allocating funds for the program in next year’s budget.

Japan has decided to proceed with the F-15JSI (Japan Super Interceptor) upgrade program by allocating funds for the program in next year’s budget.

The upgrade will be undertaken by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

According to Alert 5NHK reports that the final price of the program is now agreed at $3.5 billion after negotiations with the Americans.

“Tokyo will drop the integration of the LRASM on the Japanese Eagle in order to reduce costs.

“The project run into a road block back in 2020 due to rising costs and Tokyo did not allocate money for the project in the fiscal 2020 budget nor did the Ministry of Defense seek money for the project in the fiscal 2021 budget. The upgrade was supposed to be completed in 2027.

“Along the way, Japan had to switch from buying the ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) to the new Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) instead.”

As we have previously reported, until now the renderings by Boeing (like that featured in this post) shown the jet carrying a JASSM or LRASM cruise missile on station 5 on the centerline. The aircraft is believed to be armed with the AAM-4 air-to-air missiles as well. The medium-range active radar homing is made by Mitsubishi.

149th FW F-15C Print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-15C Eagle 144th Fighter Wing, 194th Fighter Squadron, CA/80-004 – California Air National Guard – Fresno ANG Base, CA – 2016

Thanks to JASSM-ER standoff capabilities, Japan would be able to attack North Korea without approaching the country directly from the airspace over the Sea of Japan.

Boeing has partnered with MHI in the defense arena since the 1950s. MHI produced under license the current Japan F-15J fleet of over 200 aircraft between 1980 and 2000, and will serve as prime contractor for the upgrade. Sojitz Corporation, a trading company that works with Boeing’s team in Japan, will support this effort.

“These upgrades will deliver critical capability for national and collective self-defense, in which the F-15J plays a key role. At the same time, they will provide MHI and our partners in Japan’s aerospace defense industry with an opportunity to enhance their own extensive engineering capabilities,” Will Shaffer, Boeing Japan President, said last year.

Photo credit: Boeing

F-15 model
This model is available to order from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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