Japan to buy up to 50 new fighter jets

The Japanese Defense Ministry has received official specifications and prices on fighter jets from US and European military aircraft makers competing to provide Japan\'s next mainstay fighter aircraft, public broadcaster NHK reported Monday. Documents from three competing companies were submitted to the ministry on Monday, which is the deadline for the governments and makers to deliver their bids, according to NHK. Japan plans to buy 40 to 50 new fighter jets to replace the aging F-4 planes that were introduced about 40 years ago, and the ministry is expected to make the selection by the end of November. The proposals specified the speed and performance of the jets, their data processing capabilities, and gave information on assembly in Japan. Three models up for consideration by Japan are Boeing\'s FA-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin\'s F-35 Lightening II jet developed by the US and Britain, and the Eurofighter jointly developed by Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain. The ministry hopes to strengthen Japan\'s air capabilities with stealth fighter jets as China and Russia boost efforts to enhance their air forces by developing a next-generation aircraft. (end) mk.asa KUNA 260927 Sep 11NNNN