Japan and France kicked off their first-ever joint fighter drills on Thursday to promote defense cooperation and exchanges, Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) said.
The bilateral drills with the French Air and Space Force through Saturday, are aimed at improving ASDF’s tactical skills and promoting mutual understanding, and further deepening defense cooperation to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the ASDF said in a press release.
The Japanese side deployed three F-15 and two F-2 fighter jets, while the French team brought two Rafale fighters and transport aircraft for the training at Nyutabaru Air Base in the southwestern Japan and its surrounding airspace, as well as the airspace centering Tokyo, the ASDF said.
The ASDF also conducted joint fighter jet exercises inside Japan with Germany last September, followed by the one with India in January. The country is also scheduled to host similar drills with Italy and Australia next month, according to the ASDF.
Source: Kuwait News Agency