ROME — Japanese military officials have been invited on board 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 gets set to receive the first of 42 purchased F-35Bs which will fly from two carriers, Italy sent its Cavour carrier – which already hosts the fighter – on a visit this week to Yokosuka naval base.
The Cavour was carrying six Italian Navy F-35Bs as well as two ItalianAir Force F-35Bs as it undertakes a tour of the Pacific.
Italian Navy Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina told the Japan Times the Cavour would host Japanese naval and air force officials to pass on information about flying the Short Take and Vertical Landing (STOVL) jet from carriers.
“They’re going to come aboard Cavour, where they will follow the activity with the F-35B’s,” he told the publication. “With our partners we are increasing the way we work together,” he added.
The Italian Air Force and Navy are due to receive 15 B’s each, part of an overall Italian order of 90 F-35s which includes another 60 F-35A’s for the Italian Air Force. Italian Air Force F-35B pilots will be trained to fly their aircraft from Italian navy vessels.
Japan is converting two helicopter carriers to host the F-35B’s it plans to start receiving this year. Changes include painting the decks with jet engine-resistant material and reshaping the flight deck to better host the aircraft.
“We are talking about ships and aircraft from different countries preparing to operate, should the need arise, as if they are all part of the same force,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told Japan Times as he joined the Cavour in Japan on Monday.
The two Italian Air Force F-35B’s and two of the Italian Navy F-35B’s took part in the Pitch Black multinational exercise in Australia in July before embarking on the Cavour, which is now set to visit the Philippines.
Crosetto said the Cavour’s visit to the Pacific “was not a matter of sending a message to China or North Korea,” adding, “We’re simply forging deeper ties with friendly countries, with partners, as we want to maintain 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 Royal Navy carrier HMS Prince of Wales to watch British F-35B’s executing short take-offs and vertical landings.
Cooperation on flying the aircraft between Italy, the U.K. and Japan comes as the three nations work together to develop the sixth-generation Global Combat Air Programme.
Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.
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