Japan's Air Self-Defense Force F-35 fighter jets arrive in Australia

Two F-35 fighter jets from Japan's Air Self-Defense Force have landed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal on Saturday. Japan has deployed to Australia that type of aircraft abroad for the first time. About 60 people, including Australian soldiers, welcomed the Japanese pilots.

The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF) acquired the state-of-the-art stealth F-35 jets in 2017. A new agreement between Tokyo and Canberra, which aimed to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, took effect on August 13.

The procedure for the ASDF personnel to enter Australia was simplified in accordance with the agreement. The two planes will return to Japan on Tuesday, accompanied by six Australian F-35 fighter jets, to take part in a joint exercise in Japan.