Después de años de retraso, Japón esta avanzado en el programa F-X para dotarse de un futuro caza. El requerimiento de ofertas, podría emitirse en abril. El F-X cubriría de 40 a 50 cazas que sustituirían a los anticuados F-4EJ Kai Phantoms; las primeras entregas podrían comenzar en 2015. Los competidores son el Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet y el Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). La competición se retrasó desde 2007 debido a restricciones presupuestarias y escándalos políticos. La Fuerza Aérea Japonesa, también retrasó la decisión, esperando que Estados Unidos levantara el veto a las exportaciones del F-22 Raptor, que fue cancelado en 2009. La oferta debe incluir integración de equipos de fabricación local y una licencia de fabricación para Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, la cual finaliza este año la producción del F-2. Fuentes indican que no sería economicamente viable una licencia de producción de 40 a 50 cazas. Estados Unidos y Lockheed ya ofrecieron el F-35 en 2007. Boeing ofrece el Super Hornet.Alenia, BAE Systems and EADS, también han enviado una delegación a Tokyo para reunirse con funcionarios del gobierno japonés. Europa ve una oportunidad en Japón, tras las nuevas relaciones establecidas entre Japón y Estados Unidos, después de la victoira del Partido democrático Japonés, que ya ha tenido varios desacuerdos con Estados Unidos. Entre otras cosas, aspira a reducir la presencia militar americana en Japón. El Rafale no entrará en la competición.
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After years of delay, Japan is moving forward on the F-X multirole fighter competition, and a request for proposals (RfP) could be issued as early as next month.
The F-X fills a requirement for 40 to 50 fighters to replace aging F-4EJ Kai Phantoms; first deliveries could begin in 2015 if a decision is made this year.
Contenders include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The competition has been delayed since 2007 due to budgetary constraints, political bickering and procurement scandals. The Japan Air Force also delayed the decision, hoping the U.S. would release exports of the F-22 Raptor, but production was canceled last year.
Sources indicate the RfP includes dual-engines for extended operations over water, a local role in the integration of the active electronically scanned array radar, an indigenous weapon system and licensed production by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is facing a drop in work once production of the F-2 fighter ends.
One defense industry source in Tokyo expressed doubts that licensed production of only 40 to 50 fighters would be economically viable. The U.S. government and Lockheed responded to Japan's formal request for F-35 data in 2007. Boeing is offering Japan licensed production of the Block II Super Hornet.
The push to sell the Typhoon to Japan is led by Alenia, BAE Systems and EADS, which also sent a delegation to Tokyo this month to meet with industry and government officials.
The Europeans see an opportunity in Japan as the new Tokyo government grapples with Washington over the U.S. military base on Okinawa and other political issues. In 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) unseated the long-standing Liberal Democratic Party and has since threatened to reduce the U.S. military presence.
"For Eurofighter, it wouldn't be easy as U.S. links there are strong and deep, but there is a feeling that the offer will be evaluated in a more neutral environment," a Eurofighter industry source said. "The Eurofighter position has also been helped by the good political support for the sale from the four Eurofighter nations."
However, Japan has never bought European fighters, and some say interest in the Eurofighter is nothing more than a ploy.
The Rafale fighter will not be competing
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