TOKYO: Japan plans to buy 105 US-made stealth warplanes, Donald Trump saidon Monday, which the US President said would give Tokyo the largest F35fleet of any US ally.
Trump, in Tokyo for a state visit, said Japan “has just announced itsintent to purchase 105 brand new F35 stealth aircraft. Stealth, because,the fact is you can’t see them.”
“This purchase would give Japan the largest F35 fleet of any US ally,”added the president.
Trump appeared to be referencing a deal first announced by the F35’smanufacturer, Lockheed Martin, in December.
Japan’s government announced in its latest defence budget in December plansto buy 105 units of the F35A, which performs conventional take-off andlandings.
Local media said at the time that the purchases could total more than onetrillion yen ($9.1 billion).
The White House could not immediately comment on the timing of Trump’scomments about the deal Monday. -APP/AFP