In response to growing concerns over airspace violations and territorial disputes with China, Japan has announced plans to invest approximately $500 million in modernizing its F-15 fighter aircraft fleet. The goal of this significant investment is to transform the Japanese F-15 into a Super Interceptor derivative, a move that is expected to greatly enhance the country’s air defense capabilities.

The decision to upgrade the F-15 fleet comes as a response to the increasing presence of Chinese military aircraft, which have frequently entered Japanese airspace, particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands. In fact, reports indicate that 643 foreign military aircraft violated Japanese airspace between April and November of the previous year, with the majority of these intrusions attributed to Chinese military aircraft.

The modernization efforts are set to be completed by 2028 at Boeing’s facility in St. Louis, Missouri, as reported by Defense Security Asia. Boeing, the aerospace giant, has stated that upgrading the F-15 to the Super Interceptor variant will significantly enhance the overall capabilities of the Japanese Air Force.

The upgraded Japanese F-15 will be equipped with advanced technology, making it comparable to the next-generation F-35 fighter. Key improvements include the installation of the Raytheon AN/APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the new BAE Systems AN/ALQ-239 digital electronic warfare (EW) system. Additionally, a range of new missile systems will be integrated into the aircraft.

Japan’s F-15 Super Interceptor is expected to rival the capabilities of the F-15EX, a more advanced and contemporary fighter aircraft used by the United States Air Force. The F-15EX features a state-of-the-art fly-by-wire flight control system, a digital electronic warfare suite, infrared search and tracking (IRST), and the Raytheon APG-63(V)3 AESA radar. Notably, the F-15EX boasts an impressive payload capacity, capable of carrying hypersonic missiles weighing up to 7,000 pounds.

While the F-15EX lacks the stealth characteristics of 5th-generation aircraft, it compensates with a formidable arsenal, including 22 air-to-air missiles with medium-range capabilities such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AMRAAM. Japan’s decision to upgrade its F-15 fleet reflects its commitment to bolstering its air defense capabilities in the face of regional challenges, ultimately contributing to the maintenance of stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.