The first F-35A built in Japan was formally unveiled during a June 5 ceremony at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) assembly plant in Nagoya.
MHI operates the final assembly and checkout facility with technical assistance from F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] and oversight from the U.S. government.
“Seeing the first Japanese-built F-35A is a testament to the global nature of this program,” said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Mat Winter, the F-35 program executive officer.
MHI is slated to build a total of 38 F-35As for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). F-35s are also built in Fort Worth, Texas, and Cameri, Italy. The JASDF received its first four F-35s from Fort Worth.
The U.S.-led F-35 program has delivered a total of more than 220 operational stealth fighters to the U.S. military and allies.