The Increasingly Heated "Fighter Jet Diplomacy" Between Japan and Europe: What Are the Reasons Behind It?

Reference News Network, June 15 According to the Japan Asahi Shimbun website on June 15, the exchange of fighter jets between Japan and Europe is heating up. Dutch fighter jets flew to Japan for the first time from March to April this year, conducting joint exercises with Japanese fighter jets. Last year, Japanese fighter jets flew to the UK and Germany for the first time. Why is there now "fighter jet diplomacy" between Japan and Europe? The report is as follows:

Accompanied by deafening roar, the latest stealth fighter jets F-35A from the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States took to the skies one after another.

This was the first joint exercise held by the three countries at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture from March to April, codenamed "Windmill Guardian." The three countries simultaneously dispatched F-35A fighter jets for tactical exercises, aiming to exchange experiences and enhance joint operational capabilities.

Lieutenant General André Steur of the Royal Netherlands Air Force stated at a press conference: "Our fighter jets coming to Japan for exchanges is of historic significance."

This operation is taking place against the backdrop of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict and the defense crisis facing Europe. The Netherlands specifically dispatched five main fighter jets and one aerial refueling aircraft to participate in the exercises. Japanese Self-Defense Force officials stated: "The Dutch military took the risk of potential gaps in their domestic air defense network to actively dispatch forces for this exercise, which is truly surprising."

The reason European countries are willing to take risks to engage in "fighter jet diplomacy" is mainly due to the consensus reached between Japan and Europe since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis that "the security of both sides is indivisible," leading to an increasingly heightened atmosphere of cooperation.

Last year, the British military dispatched an aircraft carrier and F-35B fighter jets to Japan, and the two sides conducted joint exercises. According to Japanese government officials, Italy plans to send fighter jets to visit Japan this year.

During the Trump administration, the increasing uncertainty from the United States was also one of the factors prompting Japan and Europe to strengthen cooperation. Both Japan and Europe rely on the United States in the defense sector, but President Trump showed a willingness to withdraw from NATO and maintained a distance from intervening in European security affairs. Japanese government officials stated: "Japan and Europe feel a crisis due to the reduced U.S. intervention."

Japan is also advancing the next-generation fighter jet development project "Global Combat Air Program" (GCAP) in collaboration with the UK and Italy, and cooperation in equipment and maintenance between Japan and Europe is deepening. Japan hopes to strengthen ties through joint exercises and defense exchanges, thereby guiding international public opinion in a direction favorable to Japan.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi announced at a press conference on the 12th that he would hold talks on the 16th with Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, who is visiting Japan. (Translated by Ma Xiaoyun)