Japan says 'open' to Eurofighter deal

Japan says 'open' to Eurofighter deal

Japan says 'open' to Eurofighter deal
Local Japanese News In English

Japan is open to choosing a European aircraft as its long-awaited new air defence fighter, despite decades of reliance on the US for imports of sophisticated weapon systems, according to new Japanese defence minister, Yasuo Ichikawa. In an interview with the FT, Mr Ichikawa said Japan's alliance with the US would not be a "major criterion" in deciding between the Eurofighter Typhoon and US rivals Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. After years of delay, Tokyo is now set to decide before the end of December on the purchase of around 42 fighters, a deal estimated to be worth more than $6bn and that could have far-reaching implications for the competing aircraft. (FT.com)
Source: News On Japan