Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Japan is strengthening its role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as it prepares for the next generation of air combat.

American, Australian, and Japanese Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters have begun flying joint combat missions over northern Australia as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the world’s largest multinational air combat drills.

An F-15DJ fighter belonging to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) crashed during a training exercise on January 31, 2022.