Japan, Italy launch joint aerial drills with F-35A jets

Japan's Air Self-Defence Force and Italy's Air Force have kickstarted joint exercises.

The exercises are held at the Komatsu base in Ishikawa Prefecture and the adjacent airspace and will last until August 10, Gazeta.Ru reports, citing the website of the Japanese headquarters of the Air Self-Defence Force.

According to the headquarters report, from Japan, they involve four F-15 fighters and one Boeing KC-767 refuelling aircraft, from Italy four F-35A fighters, three Boeing KC-767s, two Gulfstream G550 business jet-based long-range radar detection aircraft and one C-130J military transport aircraft.

As part of the exercise, the manoeuvres will be performed during the daytime not to inconvenience local residents. During the exercise, the parties plan to practise tactical cooperation, as well as conduct several other training activities for pilots.

In June, it was reported that Japan, the United States and Australia planned to conduct joint exercises with F-35 fighter jets. According to a joint statement by the two sides, the defence chiefs agreed to strengthen defence cooperation and expand the scope of joint exercises.