Japan wants to sell/swop old F-15s to buy new F-35s...

[Stratofreighter]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan- ... -purchases

Japan wants to sell old F-15s to US to fund F-35 purchases

Washington considers reselling the used jets to Southeast Asian governments

December 24, 2018 02:00 JST

The Japanese government is considering selling some F-15 jets to the U.S.
to raise funds for purchases of cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighters,
with Washington in turn weighing the sale of those outdated planes to Southeast Asian countries.

Several Japanese officials have revealed that discussions are underway
for what would be the nation's first sale of used defense equipment to the U.S.

Tokyo sounded out Washington on the possibility of such a sale
as part of negotiations to purchase 105 F-35 jets from the U.S.

The two sides are trying to iron out such details as the number of F-15s to be sold and their prices.

By arranging such a sale with Washington,
Tokyo hopes to quell public criticism of expanding defense spending amid efforts for fiscal consolidation.
Turning to Washington would also help Japan,
as it lacks experience in selling defense equipment to third countries.

Washington has told the Japanese side that it would consider selling the aircraft to nations with weak air forces.
The arrangement would enable the U.S. to provide fighter jets to Southeast Asian nations at cut-rate prices
as China expands its military presence in the South China Sea.

Japan's planned F-35 purchase was due in part to heavy pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump
to narrow the wide bilateral trade imbalance by buying more American defense hardware.

Tokyo hopes to appease Trump while using the F-15 sale to lower costs.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan- ... -purchases