Japan’s Boeing super interceptor jet deal ‘likely to anger China’

The already strained ties between Beijing and Tokyo are set to worsen with the sealing of a deal for Boeing to upgrade Japan’s warplanes into “super interceptors”, analysts warn.

According to the US Defence Department, the contract was agreed in late December and involves the upgrade of the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) fleet of F-15J Eagles, which numbered 155 in service as of 2020.

The deal is in line with Japan’s more proactive posture in response to increasing regional tensions. Also in December, Japan approved a record 5.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) defence budget that includes funding for research and development into a new fighter jet and other “game-changing” weapons.

The upgrade of the F-15J – a twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter – will include development of an integrated aircraft system to support modification of Japan’s F-15MJ aircraft into F-15 Super Interceptors. It will also deliver four weapons system trainers.

In addition, it will keep the Japanese fighters in step with the country’s growing fleet of next generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, a more advanced jet capable of both air superiority and strike missions.

Japan has been increasingly vocal against China’s growing influence in the region and over issues such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Tokyo has also repeatedly protested to China over what it sees as incursions by Chinese vessels into Japanese territorial waters – especially since Beijing legislated a tougher response to perceived violations of its claims over maritime territory.

The two countries have a long dispute over ownership of a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, called the Diaoyus in China and Senkaku islands in Japan

Timothy Heath, a senior security expert from US think tank the Rand Corporation, said Japan’s contract with Boeing would add to the ongoing arms race between China and Japan.

“The upgrading of the F-15 will likely be viewed in China as a sign of Japan’s determination to cling to its alliance with the United States and uphold a US-Japan dominated regional order which Beijing seeks to change,” he said.

“The upgrading will not fundamentally change but probably merely add to the ongoing arms race that has been under way between the two Asian giants for some years.”

Like Japan, China is actively pushing forward with its military modernisation drive, introduced in 2015 by Chinese President Xi Jinping – who chairs the Central Military Commission – with the goal of building a world-class modern army on a par with the US in the next three decades.

According to the US Defence Department’s latest report on Chinese military power, released in early November, China will further develop its abilities to leverage quantum technologies, AI and advanced robotics, hypersonic and directed energy weapons, among others.

Confronted with an increasingly powerful neighbour, Japan’s move is modest and prudent, according to Grant Newsham, a research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies.

“This is a prudent step on the part of the Japanese to ensure and extend the usefulness of their F-15 fleet. It doesn’t really improve capabilities as much as it maintains JASDF capabilities in the context of continuing improvement of Chinese air force capabilities,” he said.

“The Japanese are also ensuring they can continue to serve as a reasonably effective partner to the US Air Force and other US Navy and Marine air components.”

Newsham said Japan was worried about China’s unprecedented military build-up, weighing whether it was intended to push the Americans out of Asia, dominate the region, or take revenge on the Japanese.

Hong Kong based military commentator Song Zhongping questioned what outcome was expected from the upgrade to the ageing fighters – the oldest batch has been serving for around four decades.

“I don’t think Japan’s upgraded air force can turn out to be a real threat to China as some of the warplanes themselves have safety problems that make them unsuitable in an intense air mission,” he said.

*published by Kristin Huang
Huang is a correspondent for the China Desk, and focuses on diplomacy and defence. Kristin is interested in security issues, with a special focus on Chinese military.

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Japan’s Boeing super interceptor jet deal ‘likely to anger China’

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