Posted on 05/31/2019 3:14:12 AM PDT by Zhang Fei
TOKYO -- As Japan buys more U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, domestic jet engine builder IHI faces a risk to its most lucrative business.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has budgeted 701.3 billion yen ($6.41 billion) in fiscal 2019 for purchases through the U.S. foreign military sales program, up 70% from the previous year. Much of the outlay will go toward 105 Lockheed Martin F-35s, a transaction highlighted by President Donald Trump during his recent visit to Japan.
"This purchase would give Japan the largest fleet of F-35s of any of our allies," Trump said Tuesday aboard the Kaga, a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship.
But Japanese defense industry executives likely will take little comfort from that achievement, or from Tokyo's rising purchases of U.S. military hardware. While some defense procurement deals come with licensed production in Japan, the foreign military sales program lets Washington set the terms, leaving no opening for Japanese contractors.
IHI's aerospace and defense segment generated 492.2 billion yen, or about 30%, of the heavy industry group's sales during the fiscal year ended in March and 46.4 billion yen, or roughly 60%, of its operating profit.
Defense-related deals accounted for about 100 billion yen of the segment's sales. But industry watchers say IHI's defense business could shrink by about 10% in a few years, owing mainly to Tokyo's U.S. purchases.
The impact at the engineering level raises a deeper concern. To the aerospace industry, fighter jets are what Formula One racing is to automakers: a showcase for the most powerful technology.
As the creator of Japan's first jet engine, IHI controls a near monopoly on making aircraft engines for the Ministry of Defense, from the design to the production stages. The company applies its cutting-edge defense technology to engines for the civilian sector.
(Excerpt) Read more at asia.nikkei.com ...
Enough nationalist hang wringing, its OK for Japan to buy US. As to the new IHI engines, if they are demonstrably better in the future, the USA will want them.
Also we should see that Japans increase in F-35s is purpose driven for carrier use.
*************************
“The government had originally ordered 42 F-35As, which can perform only conventional takeoffs and landings, but last year approved plans to buy 105 more jets including 42 F-35Bs.
Trump’s tour of the Kaga came on the last day of his four-day visit to Japan. Afterward, the president moved to the USS Wasp, a U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship, where he told military personnel that his administration approaches regional security by ensuring “peace through strength.”
*****************************
The much-maligned F-35 is now coming into its own. Even without its full capabilities yet, flight tests and combat exercises show that the F-35 is a superb aircraft that, if purchased in sufficient numbers, will quickly add a major boost to Japan’s defense. Buying production model F-35s is a better choice than waiting for a Japanese built alternative.
The much-maligned F-35 is now coming into its own. Even without its full capabilities yet, flight tests and combat exercises show that the F-35 is a superb aircraft that, if purchased in sufficient numbers, will quickly add a major boost to Japan’s defense. Buying production model F-35s is a better choice than waiting for a Japanese built alternative.
I’m sure it is...my only concern is whether Hitlery gave China the schematics. No, I have no proof, but they gave away many crown jewels.
Perhaps, but the F-35 program technology was in flux and not fully developed when the Clintons were in the White House. Notably, European pilots now training on the F-35 give it highly favorable reviews, which in turn has solidified European purchase orders. And with the production line accelerating, the per unit costs have dropped so as to make the F-35 financially attractive even when compared to updated models of familiar legacy combat aircraft.
Perhaps, but the F-35 program technology was in flux and not fully developed when the Clintons were in the White House. Notably, European pilots now training on the F-35 give it highly favorable reviews, which in turn has solidified European purchase orders. And with the production line accelerating, the per unit costs have dropped so as to make the F-35 financially attractive even when compared to updated models of familiar legacy combat aircraft.
That’s a cool manga drawing, juxtaposing a foot archer with a carrier.
[The show is called Kancolle, adapted from a game called Kantai Collection. ]
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.