
The Defense Department on Wednesday selected Japan and Australia to provide the Asia-Pacific portion of its global F-35 airframe and engine sustainment posture. Japan will provide airframe maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) capability for the northern Asia-Pacific while Australia will manage the airframe posture for the southern half of the region. Both capabilities are required no later than early 2018. Australia will also provide initial heavy engine maintenance capability for the Asia-Pacific by early 2018 with Japan providing additional…