Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed plans to establish a new F-35A Lightning II squadron at Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, marking another major step in the country’s fleet modernization and regional defense expansion. The decision designates Chitose as the location of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) fifth F-35A unit, following squadrons already assigned at Misawa and Komatsu air bases.
According to the MoD, the Chitose squadron will transition from the long-serving F-15J/DJ Eagles to the 5th-generation F-35A, with the shift expected to begin in the early 2030s. The Ministry said the selection of Chitose came after a comprehensive review, citing adequate space for hangars and maintenance facilities, favorable training airspace, and efficient integration with other F-35A units already operating in northern Japan.
Japan plans to procure 147 F-35 aircraft—105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs—making it the largest operator of the type outside the United States. Forty of these aircraft fall under the current five-year defense buildup plan covering FY 2023–2027. While the jets under FY 2023 and FY 2024 budgets will continue reinforcing the Misawa and Komatsu squadrons, the eight aircraft requested in the FY 2026 budget cycle are expected to be the first F-35As assigned to Chitose, with deliveries scheduled for FY 2030 onward.
A full squadron of around 20 aircraft will eventually be based at Chitose. The MoD noted that either the 201st or 203rd Tactical Fighter Squadron—both currently flying F-15J/DJs—will convert to the F-35A, while the other will continue operating the Eagle for the foreseeable future. Since the F-35A introduction will follow a one-to-one replacement model, the overall number of aircraft assigned to the base is expected to remain largely unchanged. Surveys and design work for base upgrades will begin in FY 2026, with no major personnel shifts anticipated.
The JASDF already operates three squadrons of F-35As. The 301st and 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadrons, both based at Misawa, transitioned from the aging F-4EJ Kai fleet between 2019 and 2020. The 303rd TFS at Komatsu began its transition from the F-15J/DJ this year and currently operates a mixed fleet as the process continues. The prioritization of these units reflects the MoD’s strategy of replacing older or less capable aircraft first. Misawa’s two squadrons previously flew the oldest F-4 variants, while the 303rd’s pre-MSIP F-15Js had fewer modern upgrades than F-15 units stationed at bases such as Naha.
Some of the Chitose-based Eagles also fall into the older, pre-MSIP category, reinforcing the logic behind the selection of the base for modernization.
Japan’s accelerating adoption of the F-35 comes amid a rapidly evolving regional security landscape. Neighboring countries—including China, Russia, and North Korea—have expanded and modernized their air forces with new-generation aircraft and more frequent patrols near Japanese airspace. Intercepts by the JASDF have risen sharply over the past decade, prompting calls for more advanced, networked, and survivable platforms.
Both the F-35A and the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B offer upgraded situational awareness, enhanced stealth, and superior interoperability compared to Japan’s older F-15J and F-2A/B fleets. Deliveries of the F-35B began in 2025, with aircraft temporarily stationed at Nyutabaru Air Base. The MoD plans to establish the first permanent F-35B unit as the 202nd Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Japan remains one of only three countries operating an F-35 Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO) facility, located in Nagoya and run by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The plant assembles F-35As, conducts flight testing, and provides maintenance and overhaul support for the broader Asia-Pacific region, underscoring Japan’s strategic industrial role in the global F-35 program.
With the Chitose squadron now added to Japan’s modernization roadmap, the country’s transition toward a more advanced, distributed, and resilient air combat force appears firmly on track.
