The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) the other day received its first combat ready Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at the U.S. Air Force's Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

The F-35A is the first of four the JASDF will receive in December. The Japanese government signed a deal to buy 28 F-35As over the next five years and will buy 14 more of the fifth generations stealth fighters part of a plan to purchase 42 of the jets.

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Japan becomes the third international customer after South Korea and Israel to receive the jet, considered the most advanced in the world but one plagued with technical problems and serious cost overruns that have combined to delay delivery of the jet to the U.S. armed services and foreign customers.

"Today is a great day for the US Air Force Reserve Command, Luke AFB, the 944th Fighter Wing, and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces," said Col. Kurt Gallegos.

"We have a great team of airmen who have worked hard to set up an outstanding training program and are ready to train our FMS counterparts."

JASDF will use the F-35s to replace its four decade-old fleet of 70 F-4EJ Kai fighter bombers (famous as the Phantom in U.S. service), which is an upgraded version of the F-4EJ with improved avionics and the capability to attack both ground targets and enemy warships.

The acquisition of the F-35s is a key part of Japan's plan to re-arm the Japan Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with more modern weapons and equipment in the face of untrammeled Chinese aggression in Asia.

Japan's Ministry of Defense has requested a record budget of $51 billion for fiscal 2017 to cope with persistent military threats from China and North Korea amid growing tensions that might spin out of control.

The defense budget is the fifth successive annual increase and is 2.3 percent higher than the current budget. Of this amount, funds will be allotted to the F-35As. Japan has ordered 48 of the fifth generation stealth fighter and is one of eight countries jointly developing this aircraft.

Pilots of the JASDF will fly the F-35A fighter jet for the first time by year end. The first four F-35s earmarked for Japan rolled-off a production line in Fort Worth, Texas in November. The F-35s will be stationed at the Misawa Air Base alongside U.S. F-16s from the USAF 35th Fighter Wing.

TagsJapan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF, Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, U.S. Air Force Luke Air Force Base, Col. Kurt Gallegos