US State Department OKs Possible $23 Billion Sale of F-35s to Japan

A U.S. Air Force pilot takes off in his Air Force F-35A aircraft from the 388th and 428th Fighter Wings to participate in a combat power exercise, after he formed up in an "elephant walk" exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Jan. 6, 2020. George Frey/Reuters

WASHINGTON—The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it had approved the possible sale of 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to Japan at an estimated cost of $23 billion.

The Japanese request included 63 F-35A and 42 F-35B aircraft, 110 Pratt and Whitney F135 engines, and related equipment, it said, and implementation of the proposed sale, including technical support and training, would take 25 years.