US approves sale of 105 F-35 stealth fighters to Japan

July 10, 2020

Live Mint

The United States announced Thursday that it has approved the sale of 105 F-35 stealth aircraft to Japan for an estimated $23.11 billion.

Japan had asked to buy 63 F-35A, the traditional version of the electronics-laden fighter aircraft, and 42 F-35B, the short-takeoff and vertical-landing version for aircraft carriers, the State Department said in a statement.

Washington gave its green light to the transaction, which will improve “the security of a major ally” in the Asia-Pacific region, the statement noted.

“It is vital to US national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability,” the State Department added.

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