The idea of combining the state-of-the-art F-22A and the upgraded model of the F-15 is designed to reinforce Japan's defense capabilities in light of the North Korean and other regional threats, and to improve interoperability with the U.S. Air Force while curbing costs.
The total procurement cost for the Air Self-Defense Force's next-generation mainstay fighter, known as the F-15FX, is estimated at 1 trillion yen, the sources said.
The five-year defense buildup plan for fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2009 calls for procuring seven aircraft to replace the existing F-4EJ fleet, and the ministry is working to decide on which model by next spring so it can get the request in the fiscal 2009 budget, they said.
Other possible choices include the U.S. F/A-18 fighter-attack aircraft, the F-35 being developed for U.S. and British forces, the Eurofighter built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, and the Rafale of France.
But the F-22A Raptor has become the top priority due to its high stealth capability to evade radar detection, mobility at supersonic speed and use by the U.S. Air Force, with which the ASDF would engage in joint operations in the event of an attack on Japan.
An F-22A "can deal with five F-15s at the same time," a senior ASDF official said.
Although export of the F-22A, which features cutting-edge technology, is currently banned by the U.S. Congress, Japanese defense officials believe the ban will be lifted in the future.
But because each F-22A costs about 25 billion yen, compared with 10 billion yen for the conventional F-15, the Defense Ministry wants to purchase the more affordable F-15FX first and then buy the F-22A in the second phase after the export ban is lifted, the sources said.
The priorities of the four other choices are low because the F/A-18 is designed for the U.S. Navy, the F-35 is taking a long time to develop and the ASDF has no experience with European fighters, they said.
