Defense and security ties between Tokyo and Canberra continue to expand at a rapid pace, with Japan set to send its F-35 fighter aircraft to northern Australia next week on their first-ever overseas deployment.
An Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) contingent of four F-35As, supported by an aerial tanker, three transport aircraft and about 160 personnel, will take part in a long-range navigation and aerial refueling training exercise from next Monday through Sept. 2, .
The deployment will see the aircraft fly via Andersen Air Base on the U.S. territory of Guam and then continue to the Royal Australian Air Force¡¯s (RAAF¡¯s) Tindal and Darwin bases in Australia¡¯s Northern Territory.
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