Italy Air Force hauls an F-35 contingent to Japan for first-ever drill

Italy has strengthened its defense collaboration with Japan through the dispatch of four Italian Air Force F-35As for a groundbreaking training exercise in Japan. The exercise, part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) aimed at developing a new sixth-generation fighter by 2035, involved Italian F-35s, KC-767A tanker-transport aircraft, G-550 early warning jets, and C-130J aircraft, alongside Japanese F-15s and a KC-767. This endeavor follows a meeting between defense ministers from Japan, Italy, and the U.K. in March, confirming their partnership on GCAP. The training builds on existing air force ties, including Japanese pilots training in Italy since 2021, and underscores the interconnectedness of global security, as emphasized by Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto's remarks on the interdependence of the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.

Link to the full article: Italy Air Force hauls an F-35 contingent to Japan for first-ever drill (defensenews.com)