Japan agrees to buy F-35 fighters to replace aging jets

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Japan agrees to buy F-35 fighters to replace aging jets

The Associated Press Published Monday, December 19, 2011 9:50PM EST

In this photo taken on July 14, 2011 and released by U.S. Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Brian West watches an F-35 Lightning II approach for the first time at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Japan's government has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to bolster its aging air force and is likely to announce the multibillion-dollar deal by the end of the week, news reports said Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. (U.S. Air Force, Samuel King Jr.)

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TOKYO - Japan's government says it has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to bolster its aging air force.

A Cabinet spokesman says the defence ministry will buy a total of 42 fighters starting next fiscal year, which begins in April.

Japan wrangled for years over whether to buy the F-35, Boeing F-18 or the Eurofighter Typhoon. Japanese officials took into account the quality of the plane as well as close U.S.-Japan military ties, said Noriyuki Shikata, deputy Cabinet secretary for public relations.

The F-35, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, is the Pentagon's biggest weapons procurement program and has support from allies including Britain, Australia, Canada, Israel and several European nations.