TOKYO \u2014 Japan\u2019s planned upgrade of its Boeing F-15 Eagle fighter jets will involve support from the United States and Boeing, the Japanese Defense Ministry has confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shigeyuki Uno, the principal deputy director of the defense planning and programming division of Japan\u2019s Ministry of Defense, told Defense News during an interview at the ministry\u2019s headquarters that the U.S. government and Boeing will provide support for the upgrade through the Foreign Military Sales process, adding that the Japanese defense and aircraft industry will also be involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Defense Ministry requested $89 million to upgrade two of its F-15J\/DJ interceptors in its latest budget request for its next fiscal year, presumably to serve as prototypes for the upgrade program. A further $386.7 million was requested for nonrecurring costs for the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The upgrades will cover what the budget request describes as \u201cnew electronic warfare equipment with the ability to respond to increased capabilities of neighboring countries\u2019 air forces.\u201d The upgrades are also expected to increase the number of missiles Japan\u2019s F-15s can carry, as well as integrate standoff missiles such as the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n