Again from Freeper, Japanese light-carriers to be equipped with top-of-the-line fighter-bomber warplanes?
"Japan considering buying F-35B fighters that can operate from helicopter carriers"
"In what could be seen as a change in Japan’s defense posture that has banned the possession of offensive aircraft carriers, the Defense Ministry is considering buying new fighter jets that may be put on its helicopter carriers, government sources said Sunday. The sources said the introduction of F-35Bs, which are capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, will be useful to counter China’s growing maritime assertiveness. They are expected to bolster defenses of far-flung islands in the southwest, where only short runways exist"
NOT NECESSARILY SEEN AS AN INDICATION OF GLOBAL REACH BUT RATHER A RESPONSE TO WHAT IS PERCEIVED AS A REGIONAL THREAT.
Current Japanese light-carriers of the Izumo class not able to accommodate the F-35. Certain deficiencies must be overcome to make this possible!
coolbert.