The first Lockheed F-35A for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force was delivered to Luke Air Force Base on November the 28th.

The aircraft delivered was 69-8701 (c/n AX-01) which made it's first flight on August the 24th 2016. It is the first of four F-35As which is due to be delivered to Luke before the end of 2016.

A further 38 F-35As will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya, with deliveries due to begin in 2017. The first Japanese F-35A unit will be Misawa Airbase.