Japan gets approval to upgrade 98 F-15J Eagle fighters to Japanese Super Interceptor variant

One of the F-15J Eagle fighter of the JASDF. Photo c/o The Drive.

Japan has been given approval by the United States government to proceed with an upgrade program for their existing fleet of F-15J Eagle air superiority fighter, the US State Department announced on 29 October 2019, and noted by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The upgrade to the new Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration will cover 98 of Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) 156 Boeing-Mitsubishi F-15J single-seat fighters, and is expected to cost at around US$4.5 billion through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program although a Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) component is also included in the program.

Part of the program is the sale and supply of 103 Raytheon APG-82(v)1 AESA radar, 116 Honeywell Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) Mission System Computers, 101 BAE Systems AN/ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS), as well as the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM), ARC-210 radio, and other munitions, equipment, spares, repair works and other related services.

The new radar is similar to those found in the new Boeing F-15X fighter being acquired by the US Air Force (USAF), and is the same radar used for the upgrade works on the USAF’s existing F-15E Strike Eagles and Israeli Air Force’s F-15I Ra’am.

The upgrade supports previous reports on Japan’s plan to continue using their F-15 Eagle fleet for many more years to come, as a partner with the new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and until a new replacement comes into service. 

The upgrade will also allow Japan to improve its air defense capability, while opening to the possibility of multirole capability including possible integration to air-to-ground capabilities, and acceptance of US and other Western-made munitions.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
[3] The Drive – The Warzone