The three short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft are assigned to a provisional JASDF F-35B squadron that will temporarily operate from Nyutabaru. A fourth F-35B, originally scheduled to arrive the same day, remains at Lockheed Martin’s U.S. facility, with no confirmed delivery date.
The F-35B variants are also expected to operate from the Izumo-class destroyers JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184). To date, only U.S.-operated F-35Bs have flown from these vessels, with Izumo previously conducting exercises with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 in 2021.
Kaga participated in 2024 drills with U.S. test pilots from VX-23 and the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force. Kaga is currently engaged in joint exercises with the George Washington and U.K. carrier strike groups, as well as the USS America (LHA-6).
Cross-deck F-35B operations are expected this week between the U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Navy, and JASDF on Kaga. VMFA-242 is currently embarked aboard both USS America and HMS Prince of Wales (R09).
U.S. Marine Corps pilots flew the three jets to Japan and will also serve as instructors as Japan develops its F-35B capabilities. The Marines remain the only U.S. military branch to operate the B variant.
Initially, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) had ruled out vertical landing training at Nyutabaru due to noise concerns from Kyushu residents. Training was instead planned for a dedicated facility on Mageshima Island, which is uninhabited.
However, construction delays have pushed the facility’s completion to 2030, prompting the MOD to reverse its decision and allow vertical landing training at Nyutabaru. This has sparked opposition from local residents and officials.
As a result, the MOD is reviewing its training plans and is expected to present a revised version by September. No vertical landing drills will take place at Nyutabaru before then.
Japan aims to have eight F-35Bs, including the recent arrivals, by the end of March 2026. The country has ordered 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, positioning it to become the largest F-35 operator outside the United States.
Other countries are also expanding their STOVL fleets. Singapore has ordered 12 F-35Bs and 8 F-35As, with deliveries starting in 2026 under the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Italy plans to operate 40 F-35Bs and 75 F-35As, divided between its navy and air force. In 2024, two Italian Air Force F-35Bs were deployed aboard the carrier ITS Cavour during its Indo-Pacific mission.
The United Kingdom currently has 41 of its 48 ordered F-35Bs, with one lost in a 2021 incident. The U.K. intends to acquire 138 F-35Bs, supporting both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy squadrons.
