Rumors of a Japanese fighter deployment to Britain had been confirmed on Aug. 29, 2025, when UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed in his speech on the Pacific Future Discussion board, Tokyo, that JASDF F-15Js would arrive within the UK within the coming weeks.
Talking on board plane service HMS Prince of Wales (R09), internet hosting the Pacific Future Discussion board summit whereas alongside in Tokyo, Healey remarked that Japan is “the UK’s closest safety ally in Asia”, and famous that the army partnership between the 2 nations can be strengthened even additional within the close to future. The Secretary of State for Defence referred to the World Fight Air Programme (GCAP) – a joint challenge between the UK, Italy, and Japan – for instance of the partnership, alongside the latest fielding of F-35Bs aboard the Japanese ship Kaga (DDH-184), the primary time in historical past that British jets have flown from a Japanese deck. As well as, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba – a famous fanatic of army gear – visited HMS Prince of Wales whereas docked in Yokosuka a number of days in the past.
The Prime Minister of 🇯🇵Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, hosted on board HMS Prince of Wales whereas alongside in Yokosuka. #CSG25 pic.twitter.com/jYqXI2Gq3W
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) August 23, 2025
Healey introduced that, within the coming weeks, the UK would host a deployment of Japanese F-15s to Europe. The official affirmation was swiftly welcomed by British planespotters, amongst whom whispers of such a detachment have been spreading for a number of weeks. It’s understood that the plane will fly from RAF Coningsby, one of many Royal Air Pressure’s two frontline Storm bases, through the deployment.
The long-range deployment might be supported by Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure (JASDF) transport plane, possible Kawasaki C-2s. Each the fighters and the transports are terribly uncommon in European skies, and the deployment is nearly sure to draw an enormous contingent of aviation fans from throughout the UK to the Lincolnshire air station. After the UK, the fighters are then anticipated to go to Laage Air Base in Germany. Japanese refueling plane, both KC-46s or the older KC-767s, may be deployed to assist the go to.
Based on Scramble, the F-15Js will come from the 201st and 203rd Tactical Fighter Squadrons, each primarily based at Chitose Air Base on Hokkaidō, Japan’s northernmost fundamental island. The go to returns the favor prolonged by the UK all the way in which again in 2016 when 4 RAF Typhoons deployed to Japan for the primary time. Since then, ties between the UK and Japan have grown ever nearer, with mutual safety agreements and an array of joint workout routines that features port visits from each of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth class plane carriers.
Kon’nichiwa Tokyo… 🇬🇧🇯🇵#RoyalNavy flagship @HMSPWLS has arrived in Tokyo for an historic go to to deepen bonds between Japan and the UK.#CSG25
Learn extra: pic.twitter.com/uPvaDaxqeA
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) August 28, 2025
Coincidentally, the reported dates of the Japanese detachment – from Sept. 16 – align virtually precisely with U.S. President Donald Trump’s state go to to the UK, which commences on Sept. 17 for 3 days. On the similar time, an array of worldwide forces will descend upon UK airfields for Train Cobra Warrior 25-2. Among the many visiting plane anticipated are Canadian CF-188 Hornets, Italian and German Typhoons, and U.S. Air Pressure F-16s and B-52s.
GCAP Enhance
Following studies of Japanese considerations on the tempo of the GCAP programme, and maybe as a part of an effort to assuage considerations inside the tripartite alliance, Healey introduced that he seeks to agree together with his two counterparts the programme’s first worldwide contract by the tip of 2025. He says this might be an “necessary step in driving the supply of the design and improvement part and permitting them to get in direction of manufacturing”.
Make no mistake, our adversaries are quickly designing the capabilities to counter our strengths.
The World Fight Air Programme is vital to how we’ll preserve our benefit, a programme that helps 4,500 British jobs.
Strengthening safety from the Pacific to the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/aifYkYu6eu
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) August 29, 2025
Earlier this 12 months the three way partnership created by the three nations to supervise GCAP, Edgewing, opened its headquarters in Studying, UK. As an emblem of cooperation, the CEO place might be rotated between the three international locations. GCAP is the primary time Japan has joined a partnership of its variety, whereas for the UK and Italy it’s the first time they’ve launched a non-European nation as a fundamental companion of their fighter programmes.
Additional information on GCAP has been teased for launch throughout the remainder of the summit.
The F-15J
F-15J is a licence produced variant of the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas F-15, regionally constructed by Mitsubishi in Japan. First flying in 1980, and launched into service in 1981, the fighter has been a mainstay of the JASDF for properly over 4 a long time. New funding, making a “Tremendous Interceptor”, will see round half of the F-15J fleet upgraded with the Raytheon APG-82(v)1 AESA (Energetic Electronically Scanned Array) radar alongside the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS (Eagle Passive Energetic Warning Survivability System).
Japan Air Self-Defence Pressure / Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle / 32-8817 (cn 017) / MAGUS01 / Komatsu (RJNK/KMQ) / 25.Aug.2025. pic.twitter.com/hmhun03Hws
— トシ 青木 (@Toshi_Aoki_JPS) August 25, 2025
Transferring past the air superiority function, the improve additionally consists of the aptitude to deploy precision air to floor weaponry for the primary time. Upgraded plane will area the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missile-Prolonged Vary), offering each a land assault and anti-ship operate.
These plane not included within the improve will ultimately be withdrawn from service, supplanted by F-35A Lightning IIs. It’s anticipated that the fighter ensuing from GCAP will then exchange Japan’s multirole Mitsubishi F-2s – a by-product of the F-16.
