ROME — Japanese military officials have been invited aboard an Italian aircraft carrier visiting Japan to see how F-35Bs operate from naval vessels as part of growing defense ties between Rome and Tokyo.
As Japan prepares to receive the first of 42 purchased F-35Bs that will fly from two aircraft carriers, Italy this week sent its Cavour carrier – where the fighter jet is already based – on a visit to the Yokosuka naval base.
The Cavour carried six Italian Navy F-35Bs and two Italian Air Force F-35Bs on a tour over the Pacific.
Italian Navy Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina told the Japan Times that the Cavour would receive Japanese naval and air force officials to pass on information about flying the Short Take and Vertical Landing (STOVL) jet from aircraft carriers.
“They will embark in Cavour, where they will follow the activities with the F-35Bs,” he told the publication. “With our partners, we are expanding the way we work together,” he added.
The Italian Air Force and Navy are each expected to receive 15 Bs, part of a total Italian order of 90 F-35s, including another 60 F-35As for the Italian Air Force. Italian Air Force F-35B pilots will be trained to fly their aircraft from Italian Navy ships.
Japan is converting two helicopter carriers to accommodate the F-35Bs it plans to receive this year. Changes include painting the decks with jet-resistant material and reshaping the flight deck to better accommodate the planes.
“We are talking about ships and aircraft from different countries preparing to operate, should the need arise, as if they were all part of the same force,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the Japan Times as he joined the Cavour in Japan on Monday.
The two Italian Air Force F-35Bs and two Italian Navy F-35Bs took part in the multinational exercise Pitch Black in Australia in July, before boarding the Cavour, which is now heading to the Philippines.
Crosetto said Cavour’s visit to the Pacific was “not intended to send a message to China or North Korea,” adding: “We are simply forging deeper ties with friendly countries, with partners, because we want to preserve freedom of navigation and maritime security in this region to promote and protect trade and secure supply chains.”
Last year, Japanese military officials visited the British Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to watch British F-35Bs perform short take-offs and vertical landings.
The cooperation on aircraft flights between Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan comes as the three countries work together to develop the sixth generation Global Combat Air Programme.
