Japan is ready to temporarily convert its helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers. Yesterday, on September 30, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Japan announced that in the period from October 3 to October 7, flight tests of F-35 fighters will take place on the ship JS Izumo.
The tests are planned to be conducted in the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese coast. US Marine Corps aircraft will be used for testing. The tests should show the compatibility of the new equipment installed on the JS Izumo with F-35B fighters.
Helicopter carriers of the Izumo type
Image source: defensenews.com
Japan is one of the participating countries in the F-35 fighter development program and buys a modification of the F-35A for its Air Force. Rumors about Japan's plans to convert its Izumo-type helicopter carriers into light aircraft carriers have been going around for a long time, and in 2018 information appeared about the official intention of the Japanese government to purchase F-35B fighters to form an air wing of these ships.
Japan has already officially ordered 8 F-35B units, in total it is planned to purchase 42 vertical take-off and landing fighters in addition to 157 F-35A aircraft.