Announcement: RAF Typhoon aircraft to visit Japan
Deepening security partnership sees state-of-the-art RAF aircraft join first-ever UK-Japan Joint Fighter Exercise
(c)Jamie Hunter
The Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self Defence Force, General Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, announced today that the first-ever UK-Japan Fighter Exercise would be hosted at JASDF Misawa Air Base from mid-October to early November.
This exercise was agreed at the January 2016 Foreign and Defence Ministers Dialogue (2+2).
Four Typhoons from RAF II (AC) Squadron will be visiting Japan with Voyager and C-17 aircraft. The JASDF will be participating with F-2 and F-15 fighter aircraft.
This is the first time for the JASDF to host an exercise with a foreign nation other than the United States. The Exercise will be aimed at enhancing interoperability to deepen the UK and Japan’s partnership in security and defence.
The Exercise has been named “GUARDIAN NORTH 16” to represent the role of the JASDF and RAF as the guardians of security and the exercise area of Northern Japan.
The UK and Japan share common values such as democracy and the rule of law. GUARDIAN NORTH 16 represents the deepening partnership in security and defence.