Japan's F-X delay could open door for Lockheed

Posted on: Nov. 20th, 2006 || Source: Flight Global | E-mail Article | Print Article

Japan's F-X delay could open door for Lockheed

Japan could delay selecting the winner of its F-X replacement programme by up to two years because of funding issues, increasing the chances of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor or the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the competition.

"Officials from the JDA [Japan Defense Agency] have been saying recently that they are worried about the cost of US troop realignment in Japan. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, funds for the F-X programme could be diverted if they decide that troop realignment is their priority," says an industry official.

The JDA sent a letter to France, the UK and the USA in April asking for information on new fighters as replacements for its 91 Mitsubishi/McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kais, which will be phased out from 2010. A selection had been expected around mid-2007, with first delivery targeted for around 2012. That timeline, however, could now be delayed by two years - possibly to the detriment of early favourite Boeing.

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